White House fires NTSB board member after reports of concerning behavior

The White House said on Monday it had fired National Transportation Safety Board ⁠member Todd Inman after receiving reports of inappropriate behavior and failing to attend meetings.

White House spokesman Kush ​Desai said Inman ​was lawfully removed 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."

Inman categorically denied the allegations made in ⁠the White House statement.

"It has become increasingly obvious this action was a political hit job. While not my original intent I look forward to defending my reputation through all legal means possible," Inman ‌said in a statement.

Inman had clashed at times with NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy during his tenure.

The NTSB did not immediately comment ​on Monday.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Inman had been fired. Inman said on Sunday he had been fired on Friday by the White House without any reason given.

Inman, a Republican former chief ⁠of staff to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao during President Donald Trump's first term, had served on ‌the NTSB since March 2024.

He was the on-scene ‌board member at the American Airlines collision with an Army helicopter in January 2025 near Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people and the November crash of a ⁠UPS cargo plane on takeoff from the Louisville, Kentucky, airport that killed ⁠15 people.

The White House fired then-NTSB Vice Chair Alvin ⁠Brown in May. Brown, a Democrat who was the first-ever African American elected mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, has filed suit challenging his ​dismissal. No reason was given for ‌Brown's departure.

The NTSB investigates all civil aviation accidents. The board investigates significant accidents in other modes of transportation - highway, marine, pipeline and railroad - and determines the probable cause of accidents and makes safety recommendations.

Late last month, the Senate confirmed John DeLeeuw, who had been ​managing director of safety and efficiency ‌for American Airlines and a Boeing 787 captain, to fill Brown's seat on the NTSB.