Trump reshapes the U.S. Election Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has removed the two Democratic members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), marking a significant change in the federal agency responsible for supporting election administration across the United States.

The move follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Trump v. Slaughter, which expanded the president’s authority to remove members of certain independent federal agencies. The White House said the decision provides the legal basis for the president to make personnel changes aimed at strengthening election administration.

In a statement, the White House said the president “reserves the right to remove individuals that may not be fully aligned with the important task of securing America’s elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted.”

The commissioners removed from the bipartisan panel are Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, both Democrats. According to reports, Republican Commissioner Christy McCormick has also resigned, while former Republican Commissioner Donald Palmer left the commission voluntarily earlier this year.

The Election Assistance Commission is an independent federal agency that distributes election-related grants to states, certifies and tests voting systems, and maintains the national voter registration form. It plays a key role in supporting election officials across the country, although the administration of elections remains primarily the responsibility of state and local governments.

President Trump has repeatedly emphasized election integrity as a priority of his administration. In a recent interview, he said the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. Slaughter, which reaffirmed the president’s authority over personnel decisions involving certain independent agencies, was a major victory for the executive branch.

The personnel changes are expected to draw close attention from both supporters and critics, as they come amid ongoing national debates over election administration, federal oversight, and the balance of power between the executive branch and independent agencies.

The White House has maintained that the changes are intended to help ensure secure elections and that every legally cast vote is counted. Meanwhile, critics are expected to question the potential impact of the decision on the independence of the Election Assistance Commission.