Trump Fires Election Assistance Commission Members

NPR host Michel Martin interviewed former Election Assistance Commission (EAC) member Benjamin Hovland, who was one of three commissioners dismissed by President Donald Trump last week. Hovland, who served on the commission since 2018, was cited for alleged violations of the Hatch Act, a federal law that restricts political activity by public officials. The dismissal followed a federal investigation that found Hovland had engaged in political campaigning while in office, a breach of the commission’s nonpartisan mandate.

The EAC, charged with overseeing the integrity of federal elections, has faced scrutiny over its independence amid the Trump administration’s broader efforts to influence electoral processes. Hovland’s removal is the latest in a series of high‑profile staff changes that critics say undermine the agency’s credibility. Trump’s administration defended the action as a lawful enforcement of the Hatch Act, while the Department of Justice confirmed the findings that led to the firings. The incident has prompted calls from bipartisan lawmakers for clearer safeguards to preserve the commission’s impartiality in future elections.