Termination & Authority - Robert Primus's termination from the Surface Transportation Board is considered deeply troubling and legally invalid [1] - The termination email originated from a member of the Office of Presidential Personnel, an individual Primus was unfamiliar with [4][5] - The email stated the president terminated Primus's position without providing a cause [3][5] Alleged Justification & Primus's Defense - The White House commented that Primus was not in line with the "America First" agenda [7] - Primus defends his record, stating he has been pro-growth and pro-America during his four and a half years on the board, citing his engagement with various sectors like coal miners, manufacturers, and the agricultural sector [7][8] Merger Concerns & Competition - The proposed $85 billion merger between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific is a significant issue for the board [8] - Primus has publicly refrained from commenting on the merger but has previously voted against the CPKC merger due to concerns about further consolidation and its impact on competition [9] - Concerns exist regarding the effects of consolidation on shippers, rates, and the overall public, including increased consumer costs [10] - The industry is worried about service problems that often follow mergers, which have historically resulted in significant financial losses for the manufacturing base and increased consumer costs [10][11]