President Donald Trump has terminated two of the three members of the federal Election Assistance Commission, a move that effectively strips the agency of its ability to support local election officials as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. The two commissioners, Chairman Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, who were originally selected by congressional Democrats, were dismissed via email on July 9. A copy of the dismissal email was reviewed by USA TODAY.
The commission, which serves as the only federal agency dedicated exclusively to election administration, now faces a significant leadership void. Its vice chair, Christy McCormick, resigned on June 9, and a fourth position had already been left vacant earlier this year following the departure of Republican member Donald Palmer. Under current regulations, to approve any actions, the commission needs agreement from three of its four commissioners. Meanwhile, it could take months to fill the vacancies.
Michael Waldman, the president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, criticized the move, stating that the removals leave the agency without leadership and incapable of fulfilling its primary responsibilities. The White House defended the decision in a statement, noting that the president reserves the right to remove individuals who may not be fully aligned with the goal of securing American elections and ensuring that every legal vote is counted. A White House official further indicated that a June 29 U.S. Supreme Court decision, which granted the president broad authority over the leadership of independent agencies, provided the necessary precedent for the firings.
According to a source close to the commission, members had been concerned about the potential for such actions following that Supreme Court ruling. By law, commissioners must be nominated by the president based on recommendations from Democratic and Republican leadership in both the House and Senate, with a requirement that no more than two members belong to the same political party. All appointees must be confirmed by the Senate.
Established by Congress following the 2000 election, the commission provides support to states for election administration without federalizing the process. Its core functions include distributing federal election funds, maintaining national mail voter registration forms, certifying voting systems, and offering guidance to local officials. Historically, the agency has provided critical support, such as approving extra security funding for officials earlier this year and working with states to ensure mail balloting accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
