According to sources familiar with the matter, officials in the Trump administration sought ways to sidestep the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in the weeks leading up to the firing of its executive director, Steven Frid. The EAC is a bipartisan federal agency that provides guidance on election administration and certifies voting systems.
The discussions, which took place in early 2026, reportedly involved exploring legal avenues to reduce the EAC's role in election oversight. The firings occurred on July 10, 2026, when Frid and two other senior staff members were dismissed without public explanation. The EAC's four commissioners, split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, have not commented on the terminations.
Critics argue that the moves could undermine the integrity of the 2026 midterm elections, as the EAC plays a key role in ensuring voting system security. The Trump administration has not responded to requests for comment. The White House declined to confirm or deny the discussions, citing personnel matters.
