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President Donald Trump on Thursday removed members of the bipartisan federal agency responsible for overseeing key aspects of U.S. elections, leaving the commission without any sitting commissioners less than four months before the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump dismissed the two Democratic members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, while accepting the resignation of Republican Commissioner Christy McCormick. The commission’s remaining Republican member, Donald Palmer, resigned earlier this year.
The move effectively leaves the four-member commission vacant and comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court expanded presidential authority over certain independent federal boards, a decision that could reshape the balance of power between the White House and independent agencies.
Congress established the Election Assistance Commission in the aftermath of the disputed 2000 presidential election to improve election administration, certify voting systems and maintain the federal voter registration form. Federal law limits the commission to no more than two members from the same political party.
White House defends action
The White House defended Trump’s decision, saying the president has broad authority over executive branch personnel.
“The president reserves the right to remove individuals that may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America’s elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted,” the White House said in a statement.
The administration did not indicate when Trump would nominate replacement commissioners. Any new appointments would require Senate confirmation.
The dismissals are the latest step in Trump’s ongoing effort to reshape federal election policy after repeatedly making false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen through widespread voter fraud.
Since returning to office, Trump has pursued changes to election administration, including directing the commission to revise the federal voter registration form to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Federal courts have temporarily blocked several of those efforts.
Commission continues limited operations
Although the commission currently lacks commissioners, agency staff will continue carrying out several statutory responsibilities.
According to the Institute for Responsive Government, agency employees can continue certifying voting equipment, distributing federal election grants and maintaining the national voter registration form.
However, without commissioners, the agency cannot adopt new policies, issue updated guidance or take formal votes on major election administration matters.
The Election Assistance Commission also serves as the federal government’s primary authority for certifying electronic voting systems used by states and local election officials.
Democrats criticize firings
Congressional Democrats sharply criticized Trump’s decision, arguing it threatens the commission’s independence.
Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the top Democrats on congressional committees overseeing election policy, accused the administration of attempting to politicize election oversight.
“Americans deserve elections that are safe, secure, and run free from political interference — not overseen by partisan loyalists and election deniers beholden to Trump,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
Legal questions remain
Trump’s actions follow a Supreme Court ruling last month allowing the president to remove a Democratic commissioner from the Federal Trade Commission, significantly expanding presidential authority over certain independent agencies.
The justices, however, issued a separate decision preserving protections for members of the Federal Reserve Board, leaving unresolved questions about which agencies retain independence from presidential control.
Election law experts expect Trump’s removal of the EAC commissioners could face legal challenges that further define the limits of presidential authority over congressionally created bipartisan commissions.
The Election Assistance Commission has historically operated with bipartisan leadership and has generally focused on providing technical assistance to state and local election officials rather than setting national election policy.
The 2026 midterm elections will determine control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
