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US election commission chair says Trump tried to fire her illegally US election commission chair says Trump tried to fire her illegally
(about 13 hours later)
Ellen Weintraub of Federal Election Commission rejects letter from president that claims she has been removedEllen Weintraub of Federal Election Commission rejects letter from president that claims she has been removed
United States Federal Election Commission commissioner and chair Ellen Weintraub said on Thursday she received a letter from Donald Trump that purports to fire her but added that the action was illegal. The United States Federal Election Commission commissioner and chair, Ellen Weintraub, said on Thursday she received a letter from Donald Trump that purports to fire her but added that the action was illegal.
In a post on X, Weintraub attached the January 31 letter signed by Trump which said: “You are hereby removed as a member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.” In a post on X, Weintraub attached the 31 January letter signed by Trump which said: “You are hereby removed as a member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.”
Since taking office last month, Trump, a Republican, has embarked on a massive government makeover, firing and sidelining hundreds of civil servants and top officials at agencies in his first steps toward downsizing the bureaucracy and installing more loyalists. Since taking office last month, Trump, a Republican, has embarked on a large-scale government makeover, firing and sidelining hundreds of civil servants and top officials at agencies in his first steps toward downsizing the bureaucracy and installing more loyalists.
“There’s a legal way to replace FEC commissioners – this isn’t it,” Weintraub, a Democrat, said in her post.“There’s a legal way to replace FEC commissioners – this isn’t it,” Weintraub, a Democrat, said in her post.
“I’ve been lucky to serve the American people and stir up some good trouble along the way. That’s not changing any time soon,” she added.“I’ve been lucky to serve the American people and stir up some good trouble along the way. That’s not changing any time soon,” she added.
The FEC has more than 300 employees, with six commissioners at the top. The FEC’s vice-chair, James Trainor, is a Republican.The FEC has more than 300 employees, with six commissioners at the top. The FEC’s vice-chair, James Trainor, is a Republican.
Weintraub has served as a commissioner on the FEC since 2002, according to the FEC website. It says she has “served as a consistent voice for meaningful campaign-finance law enforcement and robust disclosure”.Weintraub has served as a commissioner on the FEC since 2002, according to the FEC website. It says she has “served as a consistent voice for meaningful campaign-finance law enforcement and robust disclosure”.
FEC commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.FEC commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
By law, no more than three commissioners can represent the same political party, and at least four votes are required for any official commission action, the FEC website says.By law, no more than three commissioners can represent the same political party, and at least four votes are required for any official commission action, the FEC website says.