The White House has abruptly removed Todd Inman, a Republican member of the National Transportation Safety Board (N.T.S.B.), creating a fresh vacancy on the agency's five-person board. Inman, who was two years into a typical five-year term, was the N.T.S.B.'s initial on-scene spokesman for the deadly midair collision over Washington, D.C., in January. The reasons for Inman's dismissal remain undisclosed, with the White House offering no immediate comment and the N.T.S.B. deferring all inquiries to the executive branch.
This action follows a pattern of departures from the independent investigative body. Last year, the board's vice chair, Alvin Brown, was also "abruptly removed" from his position by the administration. Both Brown and Robert Primus, who served on the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, were reportedly the only Black members overseeing their respective independent agencies when they were let go. Observers noted the unusual nature of these firings, with former investigators stating they could not recall similar removals from the N.T.S.B.
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The N.T.S.B. operates without regulatory authority, instead focusing on determining the probable cause of accidents across various transportation modes and issuing safety recommendations. The agency's website, as of Sunday, listed only three members, a significant reduction from its full capacity.
Inman himself had previously served as chief of staff at the Department of Transportation during President Trump’s first term. While not a career transportation executive, his prior role provided a connection to the agency's oversight. The abrupt nature of these dismissals, particularly when the agency is engaged in significant investigations, has drawn attention. Experts have indicated that board members typically serve out their terms, or at least remain in place until a successor is appointed, making these removals noteworthy departures from established norms.