US President Donald Trump faces sharp criticism from his Democratic opponents, who accuse him of seeking to influence the midterm congressional elections scheduled for November.

This follows his firing of the last two Democratic members of the Federal Election Assistance Commission, an independent body that oversees the integrity of the electoral process in the United States.

US Senate Midterm Elections

The dismissals come as Trump pushes for new voting restrictions ahead of elections that could put the Republican majority in one chamber of Congress at risk.

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USA Today reported that the fired commissioners, who were appointed by Democrats, were informed of the termination of their duties via an email. The commission also saw the resignation of the last Republican commissioner on Thursday, following the resignation of another Republican commissioner last April, leaving the four-member body without any commissioners.

Protecting Elections from Fraud

In response, the White House defended the decision, citing a ruling by the US Supreme Court last month that granted the president broader powers to remove members of independent government agencies. A White House official affirmed that the president retains the right to dismiss those who do not align with the mission of securing elections and ensuring the counting of legal votes, noting that the administration is working with agencies and local partners to protect elections from fraud and violations. The decision sparked angry reactions among Democrats, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer describing the move as a 'power grab,' arguing that firing all commission members months before the elections is a clear attempt to control the electoral process.

2020 Election

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Mark Warner called on the administration to provide an immediate explanation for what he described as an 'extraordinary action.' The Election Assistance Commission, established in 2002, is responsible for certifying voting equipment and overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal election funding. In a related context, Trump continued to repeat his claims of fraud in the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden, despite a lack of evidence to support those allegations.

Saving America Act

CNN reported that Trump clashed with the commission over an executive order in which he demanded adding a proof-of-citizenship requirement to voter registration forms, but this approach faced judicial obstacles. These developments come as Trump's frustration grows over Congress's refusal to pass the 'Saving America Act,' which includes requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote, presenting a photo ID at polling stations, and imposing new restrictions on mail-in voting. While concerns within the Republican Party are growing over the potential loss of the House majority in the November elections, the chances of retaining control of the Senate appear greater, especially after Democratic candidate Graham Platner withdrew from a pivotal Senate race in Maine amid rape allegations he denies.