Trump Dismantles Election Commission Ahead of Midterms; Critics Cite Integrity Concerns

With the US midterm elections just four months away, President Donald Trump has effectively dismantled an independent election commission. US media reports indicate that the remaining three members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) were pushed out of their roles.

The EAC, established by Congress in 2002, provides federal funding to states to aid in organizing elections. While states manage their own elections, the commission's dissolution raises concerns about the support available for these processes.

Critics, including Adrian Fontes, Arizona's Secretary of State, have accused Trump of intentionally creating chaos during the elections. Fontes stated that Trump's actions "undermine the integrity of bipartisan election administration." Other critics have echoed these sentiments, calling the move a "worrying attempt to influence elections."

This development follows a late June Supreme Court decision that significantly expanded presidential authority over independent federal agencies. Although the ruling specifically concerned members of the Federal Trade Commission, it was widely anticipated that Trump might leverage it as a precedent for other agencies.

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This step undermines the integrity of bipartisan election administration.