Trump Administration Fires Members of Independent Election Group
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-10 13:08:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Ousts Bipartisan Election Commission Members Amid Baseless Fraud Claims and Power Expansion
President Trump has forced out the remaining members of the independent, bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a move that leaves the federal agency leaderless just months before the midterm elections. The White House confirmed the immediate termination of Democratic appointees Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, while accepting the resignation of Republican Christy McCormick. The commission’s fourth seat has been vacant since spring.
The White House stated that Trump reserved the right to remove individuals who “may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America’s elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted.” The dismissals were framed as part of a broader strategy to safeguard elections from fraud and abuse, despite no evidence of widespread fraud.
Trump has repeatedly sought to cast doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections. For months, he has claimed—without evidence—that the country’s election system is fraudulent, laying the groundwork to blame potential Republican losses on supposed cheating rather than on the unpopular war in Iran or poor economic ratings. Trump has also falsely asserted that the 2020 election he lost was “rigged,” and has pushed for restrictive voting laws, including stringent voter ID requirements and severe limits on mail-in ballots. Notably, Trump himself voted by mail in a Florida special election in March.
The president hailed a recent Supreme Court decision granting him broad authority to fire independent regulators, calling it “the Greatest Increase in Presidential Power in the last 100 years,” and emphasizing its timing as critical.
Trump’s efforts to centralize control over elections have included an executive order requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and mandating that states count ballots by Election Day. A judge permanently blocked this order, ruling that Trump exceeded his authority.
Election experts and Democratic lawmakers have condemned the firings as politically motivated and dangerous for democracy. Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, called the terminations “deeply concerning in light of President Trump’s relentless efforts to try to interfere in elections.” Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Joe Morelle labeled the firings “illegal” and part of Trump’s attempt to “take over” elections, warning that Americans deserve elections free from political interference.
The EAC, created after the disputed 2000 presidential election, has played a crucial role in helping states administer elections, certify voting systems, and improve cybersecurity. With the commission now leaderless and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also lacking a Senate-confirmed director, state and local election officials are left without key federal support as they prepare for the upcoming vote.
Conclusion
Trump’s removal of the EAC’s remaining commissioners, coupled with his ongoing false claims about election fraud and efforts to tighten voting restrictions, marks a significant escalation in his campaign to undermine trust in U.S. elections and expand presidential power. The move has drawn sharp criticism from election experts and lawmakers who warn it threatens the independence and security of the nation’s electoral system.