Trump Purges Federal Election Body, Halting Key Election Operations Before Midterms

President Donald Trump has completely emptied the federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC), firing two Democratic members and accepting the resignation of a Republican, effectively disabling the agency just months before the 2026 midterm elections. This sudden move leaves the crucial bipartisan body, responsible for helping states run fair and secure elections, unable to take any official action. Critics worry this is a direct attempt to reshape voting rules and administration nationwide. The dismissals of Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, and the resignation of Christy McCormick, follow Republican Donald Palmer's earlier departure this year. This leaves the EAC without the minimum number of members, known as a quorum, needed to perform its vital duties like certifying voting systems and maintaining the national voter registration form. This aggressive action comes on the heels of a recent Supreme Court ruling that gave the President more power to fire leaders of independent agencies, fueling concerns about presidential overreach into election oversight. The Trump administration has previously pushed the EAC to require proof of citizenship for voter registration, an effort that was blocked by a judge but remains an active point of contention. With the 2026 midterm elections fast approaching, the immediate consequence is a frozen EAC, unable to update voting system guidelines or distribute federal election funds to states. New commissioners must be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, a process that can take a long time and is expected to be highly contested. This political vacuum could create uncertainty for state and local election officials, potentially impacting election integrity and voter access as the country prepares for a critical election cycle.