Trump Fires Railroad Regulator Amid $85B Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Review

President Donald Trump has fired Robert Primus, a Democrat serving on the Surface Transportation Board (STB), which is currently reviewing a proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads. Primus, initially appointed to the STB by Trump in 2020 and previously elevated to chairman by President Biden, was the sole member opposing the recent Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern merger. The White House justified the firing by stating Primus did not align with Trump's America First agenda, and the administration plans to nominate new members to the STB soon. Primus called the firing "deeply troubling and legally invalid," indicating his intention to challenge the termination and continue his duties. The move is part of a broader pattern of Trump removing Democratic appointees from independent agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Trade Commission. The outcome of the merger remains uncertain amid regulatory scrutiny and opposition from some railroad customer groups.