Trump fires remaining members of election assistance commission before midterms

President Donald Trump fired the remaining members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), leaving the panel without a quorum four months before November's midterm elections. Source: CNN The White House cited a recent Supreme Court ruling that expanded presidential authority to remove independent agency officials. Source: Infobae

What happened

The EAC, created in 2002 to certify voting systems and distribute federal grants, lost its four commissioners: Democratic appointees Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland were fired, Republican Christy McCormick resigned, and Republican Don Palmer had stepped down earlier. Source: El Caribe

Reactions

Democratic leaders condemned the move. Senator Mark Warner said it should "concern all Americans," and Chuck Schumer called it a "blatant attempt to seize control of our elections." Source: Clarin However, election expert David Becker argued the firings "really doesn't change anything about how our elections are conducted." Source: El Caribe Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes described the purge as "irresponsible and dangerous." Source: CNN

What's next

With the EAC effectively neutered, states retain control over election administration. Polls suggest Republicans may lose their House majority in November. Source: Lavanguardia Trump also reiterated he would not sign a housing bill unless Congress passes his election reform, which has stalled. Source: Infobae