President Donald Trump removed the remaining three commissioners of the independent U.S. Election Assistance Commission on Thursday, clearing out the bipartisan body just months before the 2026 midterm elections.
Democratic commissioners Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland were dismissed by email from the White House, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick resigned. A White House official pointed to the Supreme Court's recent Slaughter decision, which expanded presidential authority to remove members of independent agencies. The EAC, created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, serves as a national clearinghouse for election administration, accredits testing laboratories, and certifies voting systems.
The move drew sharp criticism from state officials. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes condemned the dismissals as irresponsible and dangerous, while critics warned of an attempt to influence upcoming elections. Trump had previously pushed the EAC to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form, a directive blocked by federal judges.