Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chairwoman Ellen Weintraub is refusing to step down after receiving a dismissal letter from President Donald Trump. She shared the letter on social media, calling the move legally invalid and saying that a proper process must be followed to replace an FEC commissioner.
The letter, dated January 31, stated that Weintraub was “removed… effective immediately.” Despite that, she announced her intention to remain in office. A longtime Democratic member of the FEC, Weintraub said she will continue to serve and called the letter an improper attempt to remove her from her role.
Currently, the FEC consists of three Democrats, two Republicans, and one vacant seat. Weintraub’s attempted removal follows a pattern seen earlier in the Trump administration, where more than a dozen inspectors general were dismissed. Those firings raised legal questions and led to bipartisan concern from lawmakers like Senators Dick Durbin and Chuck Grassley.
Representative Jamie Raskin criticized the move, calling it part of Trump’s ongoing “political purge.” He labeled the dismissal illegal and said it undermines the independence of agencies meant to provide oversight of federal elections and government operations.
The same day Weintraub’s firing became public, Democratic Representatives Judy Chu and Gwen Moore confronted House Speaker Mike Johnson over another controversial issue. They were concerned about Elon Musk’s team gaining access to a sensitive Treasury Department payment system that handles trillions of dollars in federal funds.
According to Chu, Moore entered the Speaker’s office first, and she followed. They intended to question Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” and its growing role in federal decision-making. However, Bessent was not present during their visit.
A witness described the lawmakers’ actions as aggressive, but Chu’s office pushed back. Her spokesperson said she was invited into the meeting and described the interaction as brief and respectful.
Both the Weintraub incident and the confrontation with Speaker Johnson reflect deepening tensions in Washington. As private figures like Musk gain influence in federal operations, critics warn of blurred lines between government authority and corporate interests—and the erosion of key democratic safeguards.
