Trump Fires 3 EAC Commissioners, Leaving Election Agency Unable to Function
Updated
Updated · PBS NewsHour · Jul 14
Trump Fires 3 EAC Commissioners, Leaving Election Agency Unable to Function
3 articles · Updated · PBS NewsHour · Jul 14
Summary
Thomas Hicks said Trump removed the Election Assistance Commission's remaining commissioners last week, leaving the federal election-support agency effectively unable to function in a midterm year.
The EAC helps states and localities across roughly 8,000 jurisdictions by distributing and auditing election funds, certifying voting equipment, sharing administration guidance and overseeing the national voter registration form.
Hicks said the staff can likely keep operations going through November, but without commissioners the agency cannot fully move forward afterward; he has not decided whether to challenge his firing.
Less than $50 million was available for states and territories this year, Hicks said, versus more than $400 million during the COVID-19 period, as he urged stronger federal election funding.
The firings follow Trump's broader push to reshape election administration, and Hicks said more than 400 election officials from both parties and independents had contacted him after his dismissal.
How will states certify voting systems and access federal funds now that the national election commission is empty?
Who now sets the standards for America’s next generation of voting technology with the federal oversight agency disabled?
Could the legal precedent that emptied the EAC now be used to reshape other independent government commissions?
Supreme Court Empowers President to Fire Independent Agency Heads: EAC Shutdown and the Future of U.S. Election Oversight After Trump v. Slaughter (2026)
Overview
On July 9, 2026, President Trump reportedly fired all commissioners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), effectively shutting down the agency. This action immediately paralyzed the EAC, leaving it without a quorum and unable to perform major parts of its work, such as updating voting-system guidance. As a result, there are significant delays in crucial election functions, creating a vacuum of support and guidance for state and local officials. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, these events have profound and immediate consequences for federal election administration and raise serious concerns about election preparedness.