Trump dismisses two remaining election commission officials
Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed the two remaining commissioners of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), an agency ensuring election integrity.
- The EAC, typically led by four bipartisan commissioners, had already lost two Republican appointees earlier this year.
- Critics, including Democratic leaders, condemned the move as irresponsible and dangerous, particularly with the 2026 midterm elections approaching.
President Donald Trump has dismissed the two final commissioners of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a federal agency tasked with ensuring the accuracy and security of the U.S. voting process. The EAC, designed to be bipartisan, previously saw two Republican commissioners resign earlier this year, leaving only the two now-dismissed Democratic appointees.
According to media reports, the two commissioners received emails on Thursday informing them that their positions were terminated immediately, "on behalf of President Donald J. Trump." This action leaves the EAC without any commissioners just months before the 2026 midterm elections.
Democratic leaders sharply criticized Trump's decision. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called the move "irresponsible" and "dangerous," stating that the administration continues to sow confusion among election officials nationwide. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia expressed concern on X, emphasizing that the dismissals should worry all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. He stressed that removing all serving commissioners so close to an election is an extraordinary step requiring an immediate explanation from the administration.
Michael Waldman, CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice, described the dismissals as deeply troubling, especially given ongoing concerns about Trump's alleged attempts to interfere in election processes. He noted that the EAC's structure, with four commissioners from both parties, was intentionally created by Congress to ensure no more than two members belonged to the same party.
The EAC, established in 2002, is responsible for certifying voting equipment and managing federal funds for election administration. Trump had previously clashed with the EAC over an executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, an order largely blocked by courts. The EAC requires the agreement of at least three of its four commissioners to approve any action. Filling these vacancies is expected to take several months, according to USA Today. The White House stated that the president has the right to remove individuals who may not align with the critical task of ensuring U.S. elections remain secure and that every valid vote is counted.
Tindakan itu sepatutnya membimbangkan setiap rakyat AS tanpa mengira fahaman politik.
Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.