NTSB Board Member Inman Fired by White House

Republican Todd Inman says he was dismissed without explanation on Friday.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Todd Inman, a Republican member of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, announced on Sunday that he was fired by the White House on Friday without any explanation. Inman had served on the NTSB since April 2024 and was the on-scene board member for two major transportation accidents in 2025.

Why it matters

The NTSB plays a critical role in investigating transportation accidents and making safety recommendations. Inman's dismissal raises questions about potential political interference in the agency's independent work.

The details

Inman, a former chief of staff to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao during the Trump administration, was removed from the NTSB website on Sunday. The NTSB told senior leaders in an email that Inman's position was terminated, but the agency declined to comment further. In May, the White House also fired then-NTSB Vice Chair Alvin Brown, a Democrat, who has filed suit challenging his dismissal.

  • Inman was fired by the White House on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • Inman had served on the NTSB since April 2024.
  • Inman was the on-scene board member for the American Airlines collision with an Army helicopter in January 2025 and the UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky in November 2025.

The players

Todd Inman

A Republican member of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board who was fired by the White House on Friday without explanation.

Alvin Brown

The former NTSB Vice Chair, a Democrat, who was fired by the White House in May and has filed suit challenging his dismissal.

John DeLeeuw

A former managing director of safety and efficiency for American Airlines and a Boeing 787 captain, who was recently confirmed by the Senate to fill Brown's seat on the NTSB.

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What they’re saying

“Witnessing these horrible accidents have undoubtedly taken a toll on me and my family and has changed my perspective in a positive way on how we regulate safety for the traveling public.”

— Todd Inman

What’s next

The judge in Alvin Brown's lawsuit challenging his dismissal from the NTSB is expected to rule on the case in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Inman's firing raises concerns about potential political interference in the NTSB's independent work, which is crucial for improving transportation safety and preventing future accidents. The agency's ability to conduct thorough, unbiased investigations must be protected, regardless of the political affiliations of its board members.