Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Dismissed Surface Transportation Board Member Files Lawsuit Against Trump Over Premature Termination Before Rail Merger Review
  • Local news

Dismissed Surface Transportation Board Member Files Lawsuit Against Trump Over Premature Termination Before Rail Merger Review

    Fired Surface Transportation Board member sues Trump over his dismissal ahead of rail merger review
    Up next
    Florida church leaders 'forced dozens of slaves to work in crowded...
    Church in Florida Coerces Many Into Laboring in Overcrowded Conditions
    Published on 01 October 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • ahead,
    • Board,
    • Business,
    • dismissal,
    • Donald Trump,
    • fired,
    • his,
    • Joe Biden,
    • Member,
    • merger,
    • over,
    • Patrick Fuchs,
    • Politics,
    • rail,
    • review,
    • Robert Primus,
    • sues,
    • surface,
    • Transportation,
    • Trump,
    • U.S. news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    A Democratic member of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, who was dismissed by President Donald Trump before a crucial rail merger evaluation, has initiated a lawsuit, alleging his removal was unlawful.

    Robert Primus, a board member since 2001, claims he was not informed of the reasons for his dismissal on August 28, which endangers the independence of the five-member STB. His removal occurred just before the board was set to review Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, aiming to create a pioneering transcontinental railroad.

    Primus expressed concerns, emphasizing the necessity for an independent and transparent board as per Congress’s 138-year-old mandate. He warned that failing to ensure this could destabilize the supply chain and disrupt the economic network, affecting railroads, shippers, and workers alike.

    The White House has yet to comment on the lawsuit filed on Tuesday, as its press office is understaffed due to the ongoing government shutdown. At the time of the firing, the only public statement cited was Primus’s purported misalignment with the President’s “America First” agenda.

    Nevertheless, Primus’s supporters, including Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, argue that this action disregards the founding principles of the STB. According to Congress, board members should only be terminated for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.

    Perryman criticized the President’s decision, stating that Trump unlawfully targets members of independent boards, defying the legal framework that requires the Surface Transportation Board to remain impartial and free from political influence.

    Trump has fired a string of board members at various agencies that are supposed to be independent including the Federal Reserve, the National Transportation Safety Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

    Primus said he always strove to be impartial and apolitical in his time on the board that was supposed to continue through the end of 2027. His firing broke a 2-2 tie between Republicans and Democrats on the board and cleared the way for Trump to appoint two more members.

    Every rail worker union, the nonprofit Rail Passengers Association and Democratic members of Congress quickly condemned the firing when it happened. Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin said at the time Primus was fired that it looked like Trump was trying to stack the board so it will rubberstamp the Union Pacific merger.

    Since then, Trump has said the merger sounds good to him after he met with Union Pacific’s CEO in the Oval Office last month.

    Primus was the only board member to oppose Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern railroad when it was approved two years ago because he was concerned it would hurt competition, which remains a concern for him though he hasn’t taken a position on the UP-NS deal. He was named board chairman last year by former President Joe Biden and led the board until Trump, after his election, elevated Republican Board member Patrick Fuchs to chairman.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Trick-or-Chill! A cold front arrives right on cue for Halloween
    • Local news

    Spooky Weather Alert: Chilling Halloween Cold Front Set to Haunt Your Town!

    ORLANDO, Fla. – Though recent “cold fronts” have left us wanting more,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025

    Grainger County Resident Faces $57,000 Repayment Following Social Security Overpayment Ruling

    In Grainger County, Tennessee, a woman with disabilities has been hit with…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Defense Department strikes alleged narco boat in the Pacific
    • Local news

    U.S. Defense Department Targets and Destroys Alleged Narco Vessel in Pacific Operation

    On Wednesday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth revealed that the department executed…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Addressing Human Sex Trafficking in the CSRA following Columbia County arrest
    • Local news

    Columbia County Arrest Sparks Urgent Action Against Human Sex Trafficking in the CSRA

    AUGUSTA, Ga. – An Augusta woman finds herself behind bars following serious…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    US strikes two more alleged drug-carrying boats, this time in the Pacific Ocean
    • Local news

    U.S. Intercepts Two Additional Suspected Drug Vessels in Pacific Ocean Operation

    The U.S. military expanded its crackdown on drug trafficking in South America…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    5 times the White House underwent major renovations
    • Local news

    Five Significant Renovations That Transformed the White House

    President Donald Trump is embarking on an ambitious project that will see…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Texas couple accused of moving, leaving child behind
    • Local news

    Texas Parents Allegedly Abandon Child During Move

    In Copperas Cove, Texas, a 12-year-old boy returned from school to a…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Purses Filled With Passion non-profit helps homeless women
    • Local news

    Purses Filled With Passion: Empowering Homeless Women Through Compassionate Support

    AUGUSTA, Ga. – A heartwarming collaboration has emerged in Augusta, as the…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Tampa City Council to vote on 'early works' construction of SoHo Flood Project
    • Local news

    Tampa City Council Set to Decide on Crucial ‘Early Works’ Phase for SoHo Flood Mitigation Project

    In Tampa, Florida, the City Council is poised to decide on a…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    WATCH LIVE at 10 a.m.: Meet the sweet senior dogs up for adoption in Seminole County
    • Local news

    Live at 10 a.m.: Trooper Steve Discusses School Bus Safety with Osceola Deputy

    OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Today’s coverage takes us back to Osceola County,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Woman admits guilt in ‘death wish’ murder of son
    • Local news

    Mother Confesses to ‘Death Wish’ Killing of Her Son

    In a harrowing case from Grand Haven, Michigan, a mother has admitted…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    260K households in South Carolina may lose SNAP benefits next month if shutdown continues
    • Local news

    Potential SNAP Benefit Loss Threatens 260,000 South Carolina Households Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

    CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — South Carolina officials are sounding the alarm as…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Meet Misty Copeland’s Husband Olu Evans: Law Career and Family Life Revealed
    • Celeb

    Discover Olu Evans: Misty Copeland’s Husband, His Legal Career, and Family Insights

    As Misty Copeland bid a heartfelt farewell to the American Ballet Theatre…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    My baby started dying after birth... I had to decide how to save him
    • News

    Newborn Faces Critical Health Crisis: Mother’s Heart-Wrenching Decision to Save Her Child

    A mother from Utah underwent surgery to save her newborn son after…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Trick-or-Chill! A cold front arrives right on cue for Halloween
    • Local news

    Spooky Weather Alert: Chilling Halloween Cold Front Set to Haunt Your Town!

    ORLANDO, Fla. – Though recent “cold fronts” have left us wanting more,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Internet star details nightmare after daughter, 2, almost drowned
    • News

    Internet Influencer Shares Harrowing Experience After 2-Year-Old Daughter’s Near-Drowning Incident

    A TikTok personality from Texas has shared the harrowing experience of discovering…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.