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President Donald Trump has dismissed the remaining two commissioners of the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC), leaving the federal agency responsible for supporting and safeguarding elections without any serving commissioners just months before the country’s 2026 midterm elections.
The bipartisan commission, established to help ensure secure and credible elections, had already lost its two Republican-appointed commissioners earlier this year following their resignations. The latest dismissals remove the final two Democratic-appointed members, effectively leaving the agency without leadership.
According to US media reports, the commissioners received emails from the White House informing them that their appointments had been terminated with immediate effect.
“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,” the White House email stated.
The decision has triggered strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers and election officials, who warned that the move could undermine confidence in the electoral process ahead of the November midterm elections.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes described the dismissals as “irresponsible and dangerous,” adding, “This administration remains dead set on causing chaos for our election officials across the country.”
Virginia Senator Mark Warner also condemned the action, saying it “should concern every American regardless of party.”
“Removing every remaining commissioner just months before the 2026 midterm elections is an extraordinary step that demands an immediate explanation from the administration,” Warner said.
Michael Waldman, Chief Executive Officer of the Brennan Center for Justice, said the dismissals were “deeply concerning in light of President Trump’s relentless efforts to try to interfere in elections.”
He noted that Congress deliberately structured the four-member commission to ensure no more than two commissioners belong to the same political party, preserving its bipartisan character.
The White House defended the president’s decision, saying Trump “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.”
Created in 2002, the EAC certifies voting equipment and administers hundreds of millions of dollars in federal election funding. Under its governing rules, major decisions require the approval of at least three commissioners, meaning the agency cannot carry out key functions until new appointments are confirmed.
