NTSB Board Member Terminated Amid Misconduct Claims, Vows Legal Fight

The Trump administration dismissed National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman over allegations including workplace drinking and staff harassment. Inman strongly disputes these claims and plans to challenge his termination through legal channels.

A National Transportation Safety Board official was terminated by the Trump administration following allegations of workplace misconduct, though Todd Inman strongly contests the accusations and pledges to pursue legal action.

Inman disclosed on Sunday that his employment was terminated Friday without any explanation provided, despite his board appointment extending through 2027’s conclusion. The Trump White House defended the decision on Monday, stating the termination was warranted.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai explained the administration’s position: “The White House lawfully removed Todd Inman from the NTSB after receiving 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. The Trump administration remains committed to maintaining safety and security for Americans in the air and on the ground.”

Initially, Inman hadn’t considered litigation regarding his dismissal, but now states: “I look forward to defending my reputation through all legal means possible.”

“I categorically deny the allegations made in the White House statement. It has become increasingly obvious this action was a political hit job,” declared Inman, a Republican who received his appointment in March 2024 under former President Joe Biden.

Following Inman’s termination and Vice Chair Alvin Brown’s surprising removal in May – a Biden-appointed Democrat – the NTSB’s website currently shows just three active members. However, the U.S. Senate has recently approved American Airlines executive John DeLeeuw, who will join as the board’s fourth member. The agency examines significant aviation, rail, highway, and pipeline accidents while currently handling over 1,000 active investigations, ultimately issuing prevention recommendations in final reports.

The NTSB has refused to provide commentary regarding Inman’s removal.

Inman served as the primary board representative at the scene of last year’s devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C., which claimed 67 lives when a commercial aircraft struck a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. He also supervised the preliminary investigation into November’s UPS cargo aircraft crash in Kentucky that resulted in 15 fatalities.

Prior to recent events, dismissing independent agency board members was extraordinarily rare. Nevertheless, Trump has removed officials from the Federal Reserve Board, Surface Transportation Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission to install his preferred candidates.

The NTSB’s five-member structure traditionally includes three members from the president’s political party and two from the opposition. With Inman’s departure and DeLeeuw’s addition, the board now stands at an even 2-2 party split, allowing Trump to select a third Republican member.

Both Brown and Robert Primus, who previously served on the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, were the sole Black board members leading their respective independent agencies when terminated last year. Each has contested their dismissals in federal court, with legal advocacy organization Democracy Forward filing discrimination complaints on their behalf.