Donald Trump has terminated the remaining members of the independent, federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC) just months before the midterm elections, multiple outlets reported on Thursday. The three remaining commissioners—one Republican and two Democrats—were forced out, with the Republican resigning and the Democrats notified via email from the White House presidential personnel office.
Termination Details and Reactions
“On behalf of President Donald J Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as Commissioner of the Election Assistance Commission is terminated, effective immediately. Thank you for your service,” read the email seen by Reuters. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes condemned the move in a Thursday statement: “It is irresponsible and dangerous that this Administration remains dead set on causing chaos for our election officials across this country. This move undermines the integrity of nonpartisan election administration.”
Role of the Election Assistance Commission
The EAC serves as a national clearinghouse for election administration information, accredits testing laboratories, certifies voting systems, and maintains the national mail-voter registration form developed under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The terminations follow Trump and top administration officials’ advocacy to change vote-by-mail requirements and investigations into the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden.
Legal and Future Implications
The Help America Vote Act of 2002, which established the EAC, allows the president to appoint replacements. It remains unclear how Trump will proceed with the commission. Critics warn that the removal could disrupt election preparations and fuel instability in the upcoming midterms.
