Trump Fires Last Members of the Election Assistance Commission, Inciting Fears of Midterm 'Chaos'

Just months before the 2026 midterms, President Trump has dismantled the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission—raising urgent questions about federal election oversight and democratic safeguards.

</div>

A Sudden Purge Ahead of the Midterms

On July 9, 2026, President Trump terminated the last three members of the Election Assistance Commission—Democrats Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland were fired via email, while Republican Christy McCormick was allowed to resign . This move followed the earlier departure of Republican Don Palmer in April, leaving the EAC entirely without commissioners .

What the EAC Does—and What’s at Risk

Established under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the EAC provides critical federal support for state and local election administrators, including certifying voting systems, distributing grants, and maintaining the national mail voter registration form . Without commissioners, the agency cannot act, potentially delaying machine testing, guidance issuance, and form updates at a moment when election infrastructure is already under strain .