Trump White House Says NTSB Member Todd Inman Fired for Alleged Misconduct, Which He Denies
The White House, via spokesman Kush Desai, says it removed NTSB member Todd Inman after "highly concerning reports" alleging inappropriate alcohol use on the job, harassment of staff, misuse of government resources and failure to attend at least half of NTSB meetings; Inman categorically denies the claims, calls the move a "political hit job" and says he will fight the firing legally. Inman — who held one of the Republican seats reserved by statute and whose term was not set to expire until the end of next year — was the on‑duty board member at the Jan. 29 midair collision at Reagan National, and his ouster, coming after the firing of Vice Chair Alvin Brown (who is suing), leaves the NTSB temporarily down to three listed members amid a pending confirmation of American Airlines executive John DeLeeuw and potential shifts in the board’s partisan balance.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The White House (spokesman Kush Desai) says Todd Inman was removed from the NTSB after “highly concerning reports” including alleged inappropriate alcohol use on the job, harassment of staff, misuse of government resources, and failure to attend at least half of NTSB meetings.
- Inman has categorically denied the allegations, called the firing a “political hit job,” said he received no reason for his termination from the White House, and said he will fight the removal through “all legal means possible.”
- Inman held one of the NTSB seats statutorily reserved for a Republican and his term was not scheduled to expire until the end of next year.
- The Times reported Inman’s role in the January 29, 2025 Reagan National midair collision investigation — he was the on‑duty board member, first on scene, and pressed FAA officials forcefully, at times challenging NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy.
- The removals have left the NTSB down to three listed members; John DeLeeuw, a longtime American Airlines executive, was just confirmed to the board seat vacated when Trump fired Vice Chair Alvin Brown, and the board’s partisan balance will be 2‑2 with the president able to appoint an additional Republican.
- Alvin Brown and another fired board member, Robert Primus, are already challenging their removals in court (Brown is suing to regain his position); the outcome may be shaped by a pending Supreme Court case over the president’s power to remove independent commissioners.
- News outlets place Inman’s ouster in a broader pattern of the Trump administration removing members from independent agencies and boards (including the Federal Reserve Board, Surface Transportation Board, EEOC and Nuclear Regulatory Commission).
đź“Š Relevant Data
The President may remove a member of the National Transportation Safety Board only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, according to 49 U.S.C. § 1111(c).
49 U.S. Code § 1111 - General organization — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
In the first 300 days of Donald Trump's second administration, nine in 10 (90%) of the individuals confirmed by the Senate were White, compared to the U.S. population which is approximately 59% non-Hispanic White as of 2023.
Trump has assembled least diverse US government this century, analysis finds — The Guardian
The U.S. federal workforce in fiscal year 2023 was composed of 60% White, 19% Black, and 10% Hispanic employees, compared to the U.S. labor force which is 76% White, 13% Black, and 19% Hispanic.
A Profile of the 2023 Federal Workforce — Partnership for Public Service
đź“° Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- White House spokesman Kush Desai now publicly claims Inman was removed after "highly concerning reports" of inappropriate alcohol use on the job, harassment of staff, misuse of government resources, and failure to attend at least half of NTSB meetings.
- Inman has issued a detailed response, categorically denying all allegations, calling the move a "political hit job," and stating he now plans to fight the firing through "all legal means possible."
- The article notes that after Inman’s firing and the earlier dismissal of Vice Chair Alvin Brown, the NTSB is down to three listed members pending the arrival of newly confirmed American Airlines executive John DeLeeuw, and explains that the board’s partisan balance will now be 2‑2 with Trump able to appoint a third Republican.
- The piece situates Inman’s ouster within a broader pattern of Trump firing members of other independent boards (Federal Reserve Board, Surface Transportation Board, EEOC, Nuclear Regulatory Commission) and notes that Brown and another fired Black board member, Robert Primus, are already challenging their removals in court.
- Confirms via Inman’s own statement that he has received no reason for his termination from the White House.
- Clarifies that Inman occupied one of the NTSB seats reserved by statute for a Republican member and that his term was not set to expire until the end of next year.
- Details Inman’s role in the January 29, 2025 midair collision investigation at Reagan National, noting he was the on‑duty board member, first on scene, and a forceful interrogator of FAA officials who at times challenged NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy.
- Links Inman’s ouster to the earlier firing of NTSB Vice Chair Alvin Brown and notes Brown is suing to regain his position, with the outcome likely shaped by a pending Supreme Court case on the president’s power to fire independent commissioners.
- Reports that John DeLeeuw, a longtime American Airlines executive, was just confirmed to the board seat vacated when Trump fired Alvin Brown.