WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump relieved the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on July 9, 2026. This action followed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Slaughter case last month, which expanded presidential authority to remove members of independent federal agencies.

Two Democratic members, Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, were dismissed by President Trump. Republican member Christy McCormick resigned her position on the same day. Earlier in 2026, Republican Don Palmer departed the EAC.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and New York U.S. Representative Joe Morelle issued a joint statement regarding the removals. They stated, "President Trump is trying to dismantle yet another independent guardrail of our democracy designed to keep elections fair and secure." Padilla and Morelle added, "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, commented on the dismissals. He stated that the dismissals "are deeply concerning in light of President Trump's relentless efforts to try to interfere in elections." Waldman said, "Congress deliberately structured the Election Assistance Commission as a bipartisan agency to help states administer free, fair, and secure elections."

Matt Weil, vice president of governance at the Bipartisan Policy Center, called Trump's dismissals "unprecedented" and stated, "The EAC has operated without a quorum for much of its existence."

The EAC was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Its responsibilities include certifying voting systems and developing guidelines for state and local election administration. The Act mandates that no more than two EAC commissioners can belong to the same political party. All three commissioners—Hicks, Hovland, and McCormick—had been confirmed by the Senate unanimously.

In 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing the EAC to incorporate a proof-of-citizenship requirement into the federal voter registration form. Judges subsequently blocked the main provisions of this executive order, ruling that they exceeded a president's constitutional authority.

Why It Matters

The dismissals of all remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission follow a Supreme Court ruling that clarified presidential removal power over independent agencies. The EAC is responsible for critical functions in election administration, including the certification of voting systems and the development of guidelines for states. The vacancies leave the agency without its leadership during a period leading up to midterm elections.

Prior judicial blocking of President Trump's 2025 executive order, which sought to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement to voter registration, highlights ongoing governmental engagement with election procedures. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 established the EAC and stipulated its bipartisan structure, with commissioners requiring Senate confirmation.