Robert E. Primus, a Democratic member of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB), was abruptly dismissed from his post by the White House on the night of August 27, 2025, in a move that has sent shockwaves through Washington and the transportation industry. The timing of the firing is particularly significant, coming just as the board prepares to weigh in on what could become the largest railroad merger in U.S. history—a proposed $85 billion union between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
Primus, who has served on the board since being appointed during Donald Trump’s first term, learned of his termination via email. According to reporting from the Associated Press and Reuters, the White House’s explanation was blunt: Primus did not align with President Trump’s “America First” agenda. White House spokesman Kush Desai stated, “Robert Primus did not align with the President’s America First agenda, and was terminated from his position by the White House. The administration intends to nominate new, more qualified members to the Surface Transportation Board in short order.”
The decision to remove Primus breaks a 2-2 tie on the five-member board, potentially paving the way for Trump to appoint two additional Republicans—pending Senate confirmation—before the board issues its critical decision on the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. This merger, if approved, would create the first transcontinental railroad in the United States and reduce the number of major freight railroads in the country to just five.
Primus’s firing is the latest in a string of dismissals by the Trump administration targeting members of independent agencies and commissions. According to Reuters, Trump has also fired the two Democrats on the Federal Trade Commission, the vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, and members of the National Labor Relations Board, Merit Systems Protection Board, and Federal Election Commission, among others. Even the U.S. postmaster general and the CEO of Amtrak have been forced out. Critics argue these moves threaten the independence and credibility of agencies designed to operate above the political fray.
For Primus, the White House’s rationale for his dismissal rings hollow. He has insisted that the board’s work must remain impartial and apolitical, and that his record reflects a commitment to growing the freight rail network and serving the national economy. “I’ve been pro growth across the board in terms of encouraging growth in the freight rail network, which in turn will grow our national economy. So if that’s not being in line with America first, then I don’t know what America he’s saying is first,” Primus told the Associated Press.
Primus’s tenure has not been without controversy. Two years ago, he was the sole board member to oppose Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern railroad, citing concerns that the deal would harm competition. Last year, former President Joe Biden elevated Primus to chairman of the board, a position he held until Trump’s return to office, when Patrick Fuchs was promoted to chairman instead.
Primus has made clear that he intends to fight the termination. He received no cause for his firing and was swiftly removed from the STB’s website. In a social media post, Primus called the White House’s action “legally invalid” and warned that it “would weaken the Board and adversely affect the freight rail network in a way that may ultimately hurt consumers and the economy.” He added, “With all of this in mind, I plan to continue to discharge my duties as a member of the Board and, if I’m prevented from doing so, I will explore my legal options.”
The White House, for its part, has not addressed the legal questions surrounding Primus’s termination, nor has it commented on the pending merger. The Surface Transportation Board itself has remained silent, declining to respond to media inquiries.
Reactions to Primus’s ouster have been swift and fierce, particularly from Democratic lawmakers and rail worker unions. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat who sits on the Commerce Committee, accused Trump of trying to “stack the deck so the federal government rubberstamps the merger as a huge favor for Wall Street and wealthy railroad owners.” She praised Primus as a “fair regulator who worked hard to make sure railroads delivered for their customers and focused on safety.”
Rail worker unions and advocacy groups have echoed Baldwin’s concerns, denouncing the firing as an unprecedented and unlawful act that undermines the independence of the STB. The SMART-TD union, which represents conductors, issued a statement saying, “The explanation provided for this decision — that his position has been ‘eliminated’ — is nothing short of outrageous. Appointed bodies established through federal code are not designed to be erased at the whim of powerful corporate interests. This action is unprecedented, unlawful in spirit, and reeks of direct interference from hedge funds and the nation’s largest rail carriers.” The nonprofit Rail Passengers Association also condemned the move.
At the heart of the controversy is the looming decision over the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. The deal, valued at $85 billion, would reshape the country’s freight rail landscape, creating a single rail artery stretching from coast to coast. Proponents argue the merger would increase efficiency and create a stronger competitor in the global logistics market. Opponents, however, fear it would reduce competition, lead to service cuts, and further consolidate power in the hands of a few large rail companies.
Primus himself has not taken a public position on the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, but he has been vocal about the broader challenges facing the industry. He argues that the real problem is not a lack of consolidation, but rather years of cost-cutting and a focus on profitability at the expense of growth and service. “We don’t need to merge to increase competition. We need to understand that we have to grow,” he told the Associated Press, emphasizing the need for policies that encourage railroads to better serve a wider range of industries and customers.
The stakes for consumers, businesses, and the national economy could hardly be higher. The freight rail system is a critical backbone of American commerce, moving everything from grain and coal to cars and consumer goods. Any disruption or shift in the industry’s structure—especially one as significant as a transcontinental merger—will ripple through supply chains and potentially affect prices, jobs, and service reliability.
As the dust settles, questions remain about the future direction of the Surface Transportation Board and the fate of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. With Primus’s firing, Trump has a chance to reshape the board’s composition, but legal challenges may complicate the process. For now, the nation’s railroads—and the industries that depend on them—are left watching and waiting, uncertain of what the next chapter will bring.
