WASHINGTON — The chairwoman of the Federal Election Commission posted a letter from President Donald Trump informing her that she’d been fired, but she’s refusing to leave.

“Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner & Chair,” Ellen Weintraub, a frequent critic of Trump, wrote on the social media network X Thursday evening. “There’s a legal way to replace FEC commissioners — this isn’t it,” she added.

Weintraub was appointed to a six-year term in 2002. Under federal law, she’s allowed to remain a commissioner past the expiration of her term until a replacement is prepared to join the commission, which oversees compliance with federal election laws.

She did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday night. The White House also did not respond to a request for comment. The attempt to fire Weintraub occurs as the Trump administration has engaged in dismissals of top officials across the U.S. government.

Six commissioners run the FEC, with no more than three from a single party allowed to serve at one time. Weintraub, a Democrat, voted to investigate the president over allegations involving violation of rules barring coordination between his campaign and allied super political action committees and matters regarding accusations that Russia tried to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.

She also voted to investigate Trump for promoting some of his businesses, including hotels, golf courses, bottled water and winery, during the 2016 campaign, including at rallies.

The FEC deadlocked 3-3 in that case as it did in many others involving Trump, with the three Republican commissioners voting against pursuing further inquiries. To proceed with an investigation, four votes are required.

The FEC oversees compliance with election law by federal campaigns, parties and political action committees.

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