Donald Trump has terminated the remaining members of the independent, federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC) just months before the midterm elections, according to multiple reports on Thursday. The three remaining commissioners of the four-member bipartisan body were forced out in different ways: the Republican appointee resigned, while the two Democratic appointees received termination emails from the White House presidential personnel office.
Termination Details and Reactions
The email, seen by Reuters, stated: "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." The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes condemned the move, saying: "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 come after Trump and top officials have pushed for changes to vote-by-mail requirements and investigations into the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden.
Legal and Political Implications
The Help America Vote Act of 2002, which established the commission, allows the president to appoint replacements. It remains unclear how Trump will proceed with the commission. Critics fear the firings could disrupt election preparations and fuel midterm chaos.
