USA Trump wants to fire chairwoman of the US electoral commission
US President Donald Trump wants to fire Ellen Weintraub, the Democratic chair of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), according to her.
07.02.2025, 10:16
SDA
She has been dismissed from the commission "with immediate effect", according to a letter signed by Trump and published on Platform X. "There is a legal way to replace FEC commissioners - this is not it," Weintraub wrote.
According to the Electoral Commission, she has been a member since 2002 and has been chair since 2025. The body responsible for election rules consists of six members who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. No more than three members may belong to the same party. The vice-chairman, James Trainor, is a Republican.
Doubts about legality
As the New York Times reported, Weintraub cannot be removed from office until her successor has been confirmed by the Senate. One possible reason for her dismissal was that she had publicly reported complaints against Trump, Weintraub told the newspaper. "So I'm not really surprised that I'm on their radar." She had been fortunate enough to serve the American people "and cause a bit of a ruckus in the process," Weintraub wrote on X. That won't change anytime soon.
After being sworn in, Trump immediately began to shake up the state apparatus. The Republican wants to fill positions with people who are loyal to his policies. Many employees in ministries and authorities have been made redundant or dismissed.
