Case: Brown v. Deleeuw

On April 14, 2026, Alvin Brown filed a petition for a writ of quo warranto in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenging John DeLeeuw's appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). 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. 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 the court to determine that Brown was the rightful NTSB member, oust DeLeeuw from the position, and reinstate Brown to his NTSB seat.

This case is ongoing.