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What’s happening: On July 9, President Donald Trump fired two Democratic members of the bipartisan U.S. Election Assistance Commission and previously pressured the third member, a Republican, to quit. The EAC has been an independent federal agency that certifies voting systems and develops election administration guidance for states. The move came as NewsGuard tracked its 380th false claim related to U.S. elections, underscoring how election misinformation continues to proliferate as the 2026 midterm cycle moves into high gear.
Context: Explaining the firings, the White House said in a statement to The Associated Press, “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.” It is unclear if or when Trump plans to nominate commissioners to the agency, who must be confirmed by the Senate. At full strength, the agency is run by four commissioners.
The action follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that said presidents can remove officials who lead agencies that are part of the Executive Branch.
Democrats quickly raised concerns. In a joint statement, Democratic Sen. Alex...
Footage widely circulated online led to the spread of misinformation after a family of holidaymakers visited the site from London. A family-run holiday park has found itself the target of online ab...