Black Men Fired From Transport Boards Allege Discrimination

A serious accusation is being leveled against the Trump administration: a pattern of discrimination against Black leaders in key government positions. Two Black men, Robert Primus and Alvin Brown, who previously served on influential transportation boards, are now suing, alleging their dismissals were unlawful and part of a broader purge of Black commissioners.

Targeted Dismissals from Independent Agencies

Primus, who served on the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB), and Brown, who was Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), were the only Black members on their respective boards when they were fired in August and May of 2025. Both men argue that their dismissals lacked the “good cause” required by law for removal from these independent agencies.

Democracy Forward, a legal organization, has filed new discrimination claims on behalf of both men. “When you look at who has been removed without cause, and who has been left in place, the pattern is impossible to ignore: Black commissioners across the federal government have been summarily fired,” stated Brown. “My abrupt removal was unlawful, and it was discriminatory.”

Legal Battles and Administration’s Defense

The White House has not yet formally responded to Primus’ lawsuit but has previously stated that Trump acted within his legal rights. In Brown’s case, the administration has asked a judge to dismiss his lawsuit, arguing that the “for cause” protection for board members is unconstitutional, asserting the president’s right to choose his appointees freely.

The firings have raised eyebrows, particularly at the NTSB, an agency tasked with investigating transportation disasters. Experts noted that dismissals from the NTSB are virtually unheard of. The agency is currently investigating numerous high-profile cases, including a deadly collision over Washington, D.C.

Concerns Over Mergers and Competition

Primus’s removal from the STB came shortly after Union Pacific proposed a massive $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern railroad, a deal the board will soon consider. Primus had previously opposed Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern due to competition concerns, a stance that contrasts with Trump’s reported positive view of the Union Pacific deal.

The lawsuits contend that these firings align with Trump’s broader rhetoric critical of diversity and inclusion, suggesting a preference for hiring white individuals. This pattern, the lawsuits argue, extends to other independent agencies like the Federal Reserve, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Party Affiliation and Continued Service

While party balance rules dictate that no more than three of the five board members can belong to the same party, the lawsuits highlight that other Democratic members on both the STB and NTSB were allowed to continue serving. Primus, a Democrat, was nominated by Trump, appointed chairman by Biden, and then saw his role shift under Trump’s second term. Brown, also a Democrat, was dismissed despite having a term scheduled to run through 2026, while a white Democratic member continued serving beyond his term’s expiration.