(Rightallegiance.com) – The Trump administration has abruptly removed Alvin Brown, Vice Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), from his position without public explanation. Brown, appointed by President Biden in December 2024, was the only Black member of the five-person board and was serving a term set to expire in 2026.
Brown’s removal is considered highly unusual, as NTSB board members typically serve fixed terms and are rarely dismissed mid-term. His departure comes amid the NTSB’s involvement in several high-profile investigations, including a fatal midair collision near Reagan National Airport that resulted in 67 deaths.
The dismissal aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to remove Democratic appointees from independent agencies. Similar actions have been taken against members of the Federal Trade Commission, National Labor Relations Board, and Federal Election Commission.
The NTSB is currently managing over 1,200 active investigations, including major incidents such as the Baltimore bridge collapse and a medical transport crash in Philadelphia. The agency operates with a lean budget and staff, and Brown’s removal leaves the board with four members—two Democrats and two Republicans—maintaining the rule that no more than three members can belong to the same political party.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced plans to seek Congressional funding to overhaul the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic control systems and address controller shortages. Brown’s removal may impact the NTSB’s capacity to effectively oversee these initiatives and maintain transportation safety standards.