There's a War Brewing Between Donald Trump and Fired FEC Chair Who's Overstayed Her Term by TWENTY Years

Meet Ellen Weintraub, the now-former chairwoman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Ms. Weintraub was appointed to her six-year term by President George W. Bush back in 2002, yet somehow she was still on the commission—even serving as its chair for much of the time—when President Trump returned to the Oval Office a few weeks back. Trump remedied that situation last week by firing Weintraub, sending a letter that got right to the point:

“Dear Commissioner Weintraub,” the letter states. “You are hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately. Thank you for your service on the Commission.”

If you’re keeping score at home, this firing was long overdue as Weintraub, who is 78, should have been sent packing nearly TWENTY years ago when her term on the commission expired. She has clearly gotten way too comfortable in her position, though, and is refusing to leave despite being fired by the Chief Executive.

The FEC, which is an independent regulatory agency that oversees our nation’s elections and enforces campaign finance laws on the federal level, has unique rules like not having more than three commissioners of the same political party affiliation on it at any time. Nominated by the president, and once confirmed by the Senate, the commissioners then serve six-year terms and presumably move on once their terms are up.

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Except for Commissioner Weintraub, who had managed to cling to her job for an extra two decades due to something called “holdover status” because a replacement was never named. It’s not clear why Trump didn’t get rid of her during his first administration, but it’s abundantly clear why Weintraub wants to stay: She doesn’t like Donald Trump and apparently sees herself as some kind of warrioress who will save democracy.

“I think it is damaging to our democracy to spread information like that if there is no proof,” she told CNN in a 2019 interview, according to Fox News, describing Trump’s allegations as “baseless.” 

Then, in a lengthy X thread, Weintraub argued that Trump’s “falsehoods” about widespread mail-in voting fraud “are not mere words.” 

“These falsehoods may well undermine the American people’s faith in our democracy,” she wrote in a May 2020 thread.

Unsurprisingly, Democrats are rushing to Weintraub’s defense, arguing that the president doesn’t have the power to fire an FEC commissioner. 

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), ranking member on the House Administration Committee, which is responsible for oversight of the FEC, said Thursday night Trump’s actions “demonstrate his disdain for accountability under the law.”

• He added in the email thanking Weintraub for her service: “This onslaught against the FEC — when that agency is currently reviewing complaints against the President — reeks of corruption.”