ENS DAO removes director Brantly Millegan after 2016 tweet controversy

Brantly Millegan, the former director of operations for the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) DAO, was removed by community vote on Sunday after a 2016 tweet resurfaced, underscoring the first high‑profile “cancel” action within a crypto governance body【1】.

Community vote and immediate fallout

ENS founder Nick Johnson announced that the DAO’s non‑profit arm, True Names Limited, had terminated Millegan’s role, citing that his position was “no longer tenable”【1】. The decision followed a three‑hour Twitter Spaces meeting where delegates voiced anger, particularly from LGBTQ+ members who argued the DAO must remain inclusive. The vote took place over the weekend, and the removal was formalized on Sunday.

Governance implications and dissent

While many community members supported the move as a stand against perceived homophobia, a vocal minority defended Millegan’s right to hold his religious views, framing the action as an infringement on religious freedom【1】. The debate highlighted the tension between ENS’s democratic, token‑weighted governance model and the cultural expectations of its diverse investor base. Millegan attended the meeting but refused to apologize, further polarizing participants.

Broader crypto context

The incident challenges the long‑standing crypto narrative that blockchain platforms are immune to “cancel culture.” Critics have previously argued that decentralized structures protect free speech, yet ENS’s swift action demonstrates that community sentiment can still drive personnel decisions. The episode may influence how other DAOs address controversial statements by key members, especially as governance rules continue to evolve.

What to watch

• Upcoming ENS governance proposals that could formalize criteria for leadership removal.
• Any token‑holder votes on amendments to the DAO’s code of conduct or voting thresholds.
• Reactions from other crypto DAOs to the ENS decision, which may set a precedent for future governance disputes.

The ENS case shows that even in decentralized organizations, cultural and reputational risks can prompt decisive action, raising questions about how DAOs will balance inclusivity with the principle of censorship resistance moving forward.