US Federal Election Commission Commissioner and Chairperson, Ellen Weintraub, on Thursday, said she received a letter from President Donald Trump that purports to fire her, adding that the action was illegal.
Weintraub, in a post on X, attached the January 31 letter signed by Trump which said: “You are hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.”
DAILY POST reports that since his swearing-in on January 20, Trump, 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.
“There’s a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn’t it.
“I’ve been lucky to serve the American people & stir up some good trouble along the way. That’s not changing anytime soon,” Weintraub, a Democrat, said in her post.
DAILY POST gathered that the FEC has more than 300 employees, with six commissioners at the top.
According to the FEC website, Weintraub has served as a commissioner on the FEC since 2002.
It said she has served as a consistent voice for meaningful campaign-finance law enforcement and robust disclosure.
It was gathered that FEC commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
The FEC website said 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.