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In this time of corporate impunity, pay to play politics, and acquiescence to demagogues and the oligarchs that pull the strings, Robert Primus has demonstrated a refreshing immunity to manipulation by either party or patron. As a member of the Surface Transportation Board (STB)—and in his stint as its Chair—his penchant for fairness, ability to ask hard questions in defense of the public interest, and his integrity were always apparent. So too was his well calibrated bullshit meter and impatience for obfuscation.

This of course made him simultaneously absolutely critical to the public good—AND —very poorly suited to service under Trump Inc. Being the sole vote against the last railroad merger (Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern into CPKC) during the Biden Administration—not to mention being a deeply experienced African American sitting on a powerful, independent regulatory board—put a target on his back.

There was, therefore, little to be surprised about—but much to be outraged over—with Trump’s brazenly illegal firing of Mr. Primus from the STB without cause last August. The move came less than a month after the mega-railroads Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) announced their intention to merge. It was little more than a week before UP CEO Jim Vena visited the White House, which was followed shortly thereafter with a UP donation toward Trump’s infamous Ballroom.

Recognizing Mr. Primus’ firing as a threat to the independence, and thus the legitimacy, of this crucial regulatory body, Solutionary Rail immediately launched a petition to halt proceedings of the Board until Mr. Primus was restored to his rightful position. We were also the first to publish a leaked email from current STB Chair Patrick Fuchs which raised yet further questions about the Board’s ability to carry out its mission—let alone evaluate a high-profile merger proposal—free of influence from the White House.

Our advocacy brought us into contact with Mr. Primus, who, after a handful of conversations, agreed to record an interview on the Reconnect America podcast. The conversation we are sharing with you today highlights the immense gap between the STB we have and the one that is needed to stand up for the public interest and see us through this endgame moment in the history of this critical national infrastructure.

Above all, this interview should serve as a wakeup call that the pending Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act—which only comes up for consideration every five years—absolutely must include language to strengthen the mandate of the STB and revamp its tools for the new era in which we find ourselves. For such language, lawmakers need look no further than the bipartisan Reliable Rail Service Act.

With Gratitude & Solidarity,

Bill Moyer