President Trump cleans house at the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission
NPR – Politics
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Summary
From left to right: Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama talks with U.S. Election Assistance Commissioners Thomas Hicks, Benjamin Hovland and Christy McCormick after a House hearing on May 20. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption With just months until the midterms, President Trump relieved the remaining members of the bipartisan U.S. Supreme Court late last month ruled that a president has a freer hand to remove members of independent federal agencies. For instance, Trump issued a 2025 executive order that called on the EAC to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form it maintains. Judges have blocked that executive order's main provisions, saying they exceed a president's constitutional authority. Its four commissioners are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. All three had been confirmed by the Senate unanimously . "Purging commissioners just months before the midterm elections and further gutting support for our state and local elections officials is a blatant part of his plan to politicize our elections and enable more unlawful and dangerous election interference." Michael Waldman — president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice, which advocates for expanded voting access — said in his own statement that the dismissals "are deeply concerning in light of President Trump's relentless efforts to try to interfere in elections." "Congress deliberately structured the Election Assistance Commission as a bipartisan agency to help states administer free, fair, and secure elections," he said.
From the source
With just months until the midterms, President Trump relieved the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a move condemned by Democrats and voting rights advocates. (Image credit: Andrew Harnik)
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