Trump Axes Remaining Federal Election Commissioners Ahead of US Midterms

In a move that has sparked widespread concern, US President Donald Trump has fired the last two federal election officials responsible for overseeing the agency that ensures the accuracy and security of votes in the country. The Election Assistance Commission, which is typically led by a four-member panel, has been left with no commissioners after the two Republican-nominated members resigned earlier in the year. The two commissioners who were fired, both of whom were selected by Democrats, received emails informing them of their termination, effective immediately. According to reports, the email stated, 'On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as Commissioner of the Election Assistance Commission is terminated, effective immediately.' The move has been met with criticism from Democrats, with top state election officials like Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes describing it as 'irresponsible and dangerous.' US Senator Mark Warner of Virginia has also expressed concern, stating that the dismissals should be a concern for all Americans, regardless of party affiliation. The Brennan Center for Justice's CEO, Michael Waldman, has described the firings as 'deeply concerning' in light of President Trump's history of attempting to interfere in elections. The Election Assistance Commission was established in 2002 and is responsible for certifying voting equipment and administering hundreds of millions of dollars in federal support for elections. The commission requires the agreement of at least three of its four members to take any action, but it may take months to fill the vacancies. The White House has defended the move, stating that 'the president reserves the right to remove individuals that may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America's elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted.'