Trump Disbands Independent Oversight In Late-Night Purge

In a stunning move, President Trump has disbanded the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, an independent panel tasked with investigating voter fraud. The commission's disbandment comes amid mounting pressure from Democrats and voting rights advocates, who have accused the commission of being a partisan effort to suppress voter turnout.

A Partisan Effort?

The commission was established by Trump in May 2017, following his repeated claims that millions of people voted illegally in the 2016 election. However, there is no evidence to support these claims, and the commission's critics have accused it of being a partisan attempt to justify voter suppression efforts.

In its 16-month existence, the commission has held just one public hearing and has not produced any findings. It has also been criticized for its lack of transparency, as it has refused to release its meeting minutes or the names of its staff.

Critics' Concerns

Critics of the commission have expressed concerns that it is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to suppress voter turnout, particularly among minority voters. They point to the administration's support for voter ID laws, which have been shown to disproportionately affect minority voters, and its efforts to remove voters from the rolls.

For example, a study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that strict voter ID laws could prevent up to 2.4 million eligible voters from casting ballots in the 2016 election. The study also found that black voters are more likely to lack the required ID than white voters.

Administration's Defense

The Trump administration has defended the commission, arguing that it is necessary to investigate voter fraud. However, there is no evidence to support the administration's claims of widespread voter fraud. A study by the Government Accountability Office found that there were only 31 credible instances of voter impersonation fraud out of more than 1 billion votes cast in the 2016 election.

Critics argue that the administration's focus on voter fraud is a pretext for voter suppression. They point to the fact that the administration has made it more difficult to register to vote and to cast a ballot, particularly for minority voters.

Conclusion

The disbandment of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity is a significant development in the ongoing debate over voter fraud. The commission's critics have accused it of being a partisan effort to suppress voter turnout, particularly among minority voters. The Trump administration has defended the commission, arguing that it is necessary to investigate voter fraud. However, there is no evidence to support the administration's claims of widespread voter fraud.

The broader implications

The disbandment of the commission is a setback for efforts to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. It is also a sign of the Trump administration's continued commitment to voter suppression. The administration's actions are a threat to democracy and must be resisted.

Read also: Man Gets 57 Years In Prison In Sean Taylor's Death