Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub said she received a letter from President Donald Trump informing her that she was being removed from office, in a post on X where she questioned the legal validity of the move and signaled her intent to fight against the removal—amid a push by the Trump administration to purge several government officials.
U.S. Federal Election Commission Commissioner Ellen Weintraub testifies on Capitol Hill in ... [+]
In her X post, Weintraub shared the screenshot of a letter from Trump, dated Jan. 31, informing her that she was “hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.”
Weintraub said she received the letter on Thursday, before noting: “There’s a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn’t it.”
The FEC chair then signaled her intent to challenge Trump’s efforts to remove her, saying she has been “lucky to serve the American people & stir up some good trouble along the way,” and that was “not changing anytime soon.”
Weintraub, a Democrat, was elected as the chair of the FEC in December, while James Trainor, a Republican, was elected vice chair.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
According to the agency’s website, the FEC is led by six commissioners 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. This structure was created to encourage nonpartisan decisions,” the agency’s website says. The agency presently has three Democratic and two Republican commissioners, with one seat vacant.