Trump fires all Democrats on Election Assistance Commission

The Hill -    President Trump fired the remaining Democratic members of the independent Election Assistance Commission on Thursday, the White House confirmed to The Hill.  Trump fired the remaining Democrats on the commission, Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks, while Republican Christy McCormick resigned.

“The President, and head of the Executive Branch, 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,” said a White House official in a statement.

“The Slaughter decision gives the President precedence to do so,” the official said, referring to the Supreme Court decision last month that determined the president has the authority to remove members of the Federal Trade Commission.

“The Administration from the start has been working across all agencies and local partners to safeguard elections from fraud and abuse, and investing in a strong infrastructure to sustain that mission especially in the midterm elections,” the official added.

…..It’s unclear what will happen next with the commission, or if Trump will appoint new commissioners, which would need to be confirmed by the Senate. Democrats were quick to slam the firings.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) vowed that staffers would “fight this power grab at every turn,” while Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said the move “should concern every American, regardless of party.”

Additionally, the commission is in charge of “maintaining the national mail voter registration form developed in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993,” according to its website