US President Donald Trump on Thursday, July 9, 2026, fired the last two federal election officials overseeing the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the agency responsible for ensuring accurate and secure voting, US media reported. The dismissals leave the bipartisan commission without any commissioners just months before the November midterm elections.
Fired Commissioners Were Democrats
Both fired commissioners were Democratic appointees. They received an email from a White House official stating: "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," according to CNN. The EAC is typically led by a four-member panel, but two Republican-nominated commissioners had resigned earlier in 2026, according to USA Today.
Democrats Condemn the Firings
Democrats swiftly condemned the move. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called it "irresponsible and dangerous," stating in a press release that the administration "remains dead set on causing chaos for election officials across the country." US Senator Mark Warner of Virginia posted on X that the dismissals "should concern every American regardless of party," adding that removing every remaining commissioner just months before the 2026 midterm elections is "an extraordinary step that demands an immediate explanation from the administration."
Election Experts Express Alarm
Michael Waldman, CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice, called the firings "deeply concerning" in light of President Trump's "relentless efforts to try to interfere in elections." Waldman noted that the bipartisan structure of the EAC—limited to no more than two members from the same party—was "carefully designed by Congress."
EAC’s Role and Trump’s Clash
Created in 2002, the EAC certifies voting equipment and administers hundreds of millions of dollars in federal support for elections, CNN reported. Trump has clashed with the EAC over his executive order requiring the agency to add proof-of-citizenship mandates to voter registration forms, a demand largely blocked in court.
Commission Now Unable to Act
To approve any actions, the EAC requires agreement from three of four commissioners. With all seats vacant, the agency cannot function. It could take months to fill the vacancies, according to USA Today. The White House defended the firings in an official press briefing, stating that "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."
