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10/2/2025
Robert Primus is suing President Donald Trump and his administration over what Primus says was his unlawful dismissal on Aug. 27 as a member of the Surface Transportation Board.
Primus is asking a federal court to allow him to do his job on the independent board that oversees the economic regulation of railroads and other interstate land and water transportation. Trump's removal of Primus undermines the board's historic independence, according to a press release from Democracy Forward and Justice Legal Strategies, which are representing Primus in the lawsuit.
Prior to his dismissal, Primus served on the STB since Jan. 7, 2021. His current term was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2027.
STB members are nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and are bipartisan as no more than three of the five members can be from the same political party.
No reason was provided when Primus was dismissed.
“I am fighting against this illegal termination not just for my statutory right to serve out my appointed term, but also for the right of every board member, present and future, Republican or Democrat, to serve on the board as an independent and impartial member without the threat of retaliation or removal for discharging their duties free from political or partisan influence," said Primus. “Our country’s supply chain demands that the board be independent and transparent. Congress mandated it 138 years ago. Failure to do so will negatively affect the network: railroads, shipper, and rail labor alike, disrupting the supply chain and ultimately injecting instability into our nation’s economy."
The case is Primus v. Trump, and the Democracy Forward legal team working on the matter includes Cynthia Liao and Elena Goldstein. Jon Greenbaum is working on behalf of Justice Legal Strategies. To read the complaint, click here.