US President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed the last two serving commissioners of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the independent federal agency responsible for helping ensure secure and credible elections, according to US media reports.The EAC is designed to function as a bipartisan body chaired by four Commissioners. However, two Republican-appointed members resigned earlier this year, leaving only two Democratic-appointed commissioners. Both were informed of their dismissals via emails sent Thursday, USA Today reports.“On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as Commissioner of the Election Assistance Commission is terminated, effective immediately,” the email from a White House official read, according to CNN.The move was criticized by Democratic leaders and election officials, who argued that removing the agency’s remaining commissioners so close to the 2026 midterm elections could disrupt election administration.Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called the decision “irresponsible and dangerous.”“This administration is bent on creating chaos for our election officials across the country,” he said in a press release.Virginia Senator Mark Warner also condemned the dismissals, saying they “should concern every American regardless of party,” adding that “removing every remaining commissioner just months before the 2026 midterm elections is an extraordinary step that demands an immediate explanation from the administration.”Michael Waldman, chief executive of the Brennan Center for Justice, called the dismissal “deeply concerning in light of President Trump’s relentless efforts to interfere in the election.”He said Congress had deliberately designed the EAC to be a bipartisan body by limiting membership to no more than two commissioners from the same political party.Established in 2002, the Commission is responsible for overseeing the distribution of millions of dollars in federal funding to certify voting systems and support elections across the United States.Trump has previously clashed with the agency over his executive order directing it to introduce proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration forms. Much of that directive was later blocked by the courts.The Commission requires the support of at least three of its four Commissioners to approve official actions. Since all commissioner positions are now vacant, it may take several months to restore the body’s ability to function as new appointments are made.Defending the decision, the White House said the President “reserves the right to remove individuals who cannot be fully engaged with the vital work of securing America’s elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted.”