President Donald Trump has removed Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chair Ellen Weintraub, but the longtime Democrat appointee refuses to leave, arguing that the move is illegal. Trump’s decision to fire Weintraub is part of a broader effort to remove entrenched officials he believes have acted against him, and Weintraub’s defiant response suggests he picked the right target.

Weintraub, first placed on the commission in 2002 by President George W. Bush, has long been a vocal opponent of Trump, repeatedly challenging his claims about election integrity. Trump’s letter, delivered Thursday, made it clear that her tenure was over: “Dear Commissioner Weintraub, You are hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission effective immediately.”

Instead of stepping down, Weintraub took to social media to challenge Trump’s authority to fire her. “Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner & Chair of [the FEC]. There’s a legal way to replace FEC commissioners—this isn’t it,” she wrote.

Her refusal to leave raises questions about her nearly 23-year reign at the commission. Weintraub’s term officially ended in 2007, yet she has remained in her position due to Senate gridlock over confirming new commissioners. The FEC requires a quorum to function, and partisan disputes have repeatedly stalled appointments, allowing members like Weintraub to linger far beyond their intended terms.

Trump’s decision to remove Weintraub is part of his ongoing effort to clean house in Washington. Her history of targeting Trump includes pushing investigations into his campaign and personal finances, most recently over alleged payments to Stormy Daniels.

The FEC website listed Weintraub’s seat as vacant by Friday morning, but she maintains that she remains in office. The agency has since canceled its upcoming meeting scheduled for Feb. 13, fueling further uncertainty about its leadership moving forward.