All four members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission are vacant, White House confirms Trump removed two members

Odaily Odaily星球日报讯 The White House confirmed on the 10th that U.S. President Trump has removed two sitting members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Earlier reports indicated that Trump on the 9th removed Democratic members Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland from the commission, accepted the resignation of Republican member Christy McCormick; another Republican member, Donald Palmer, had already left earlier this year. As a result, all four seats on the commission are now vacant. In a statement on the 10th, the White House asserted that the president retains the right to dismiss individuals who may not be fully committed to ensuring the security of U.S. elections and ensuring that every legal vote is counted. The White House statement did not provide specific reasons for Trump's actions. U.S. media reported that the commission had previously rejected an executive order signed by Trump requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship on a national voter registration form.