Case: Brown v. Deleeuw
1:26-cv-01249 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: April 14, 2026
Case Ongoing
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Case Summary
On April 14, 2026, Alvin Brown filed a petition for a writ of quo warranto in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenging John DeLeeuw's appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) by President Trump. Brown alleged that he was the rightfully appointed NTSB member, having been unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 8, 2024, to serve a term expiring December 31, 2026. According to the complaint, President Trump directed Brown's removal from the NTSB on May 5, 2025, without providing any cause, despite federal law requiring that NTSB members can only be removed "for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office". Brown alleged his removal was racially motivated, as he was the only Black member of the NTSB and the only Democratic member terminated by President Trump at that time, in violation of the Equal Protection Clause. Subsequently, President Trump nominated John DeLeeuw to fill Brown's seat on January 13, 2026, and DeLeeuw was confirmed by the Senate and took the oath of office on March 16, 2026. Brown argued that because he was never lawfully removed, DeLeeuw was unlawfully usurping his office within the meaning of D.C. Code § 16-3501. The petition sought leave to issue a writ of quo warranto, requesting that the court determine that Brown was the rightful NTSB member, oust DeLeeuw from the position, and reinstate Brown to his NTSB seat.
As of April 22, 2026, this case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Ashley Hamilton (4/22/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73188454/parties/brown-v-deleeuw/
Salzman, Joshua M. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73188454/brown-v-deleeuw/
Last updated Aug. 31, 2026, 3:18 a.m.
Docket for: BROWN v. DELEEUW
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 14, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
An individual that was formerly a member of the National Transportation Safety Board
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Substantive Due Process
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-01249
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Discrimination Area:
Content/viewpoint discrimination
Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):
Case Summary of Brown v. Deleeuw, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48103/ (last updated 4/22/2026).