In Law360, Trump Debarment Threat Calls for Targeted Defense Plan
Partners Ashley Callen and David Robbins authored an article for Law360 examining how entities should respond when suspension or debarment is threatened directly by the president, rather than initiated through the usual agency-driven process. The piece uses President Trump's July 2026 social media directive targeting the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine as a case study for building a defensive record.
Ashley and David outline the immediate steps an entity should take once it becomes the target of such a threat and discuss how those steps can shape both the agency response and any later litigation.
Ashley Callen is Co-Chair of Jenner & Block's Congressional Investigations Practice. She brings 25 years of experience in senior congressional roles, having most recently served as General Counsel to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, where she managed the House's investigative agenda and advised on oversight, ethics, and other high-profile, politically sensitive matters. She previously held senior investigative roles across several key House committees.
David Robbins is Co-Chair of Jenner & Block's Government Contractor Litigation and Compliance Practice. He advises government contractors, grant recipients, and their executives on civil False Claims Act defense, compliance, and suspension and debarment matters. David brings a unique vantage point to this work: he previously served in the Air Force General Counsel's office, where he ran the Air Force's Procurement Fraud Remedies Office and served as acting Suspending and Debarring Official, and he later co-ran the Pentagon's Procurement Fraud Working Group and served on the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
Partners Ashley Callen and David Robbins authored an article for Law360 examining how entities should respond when suspension or debarment is threatened directly by the president, rather than initiated through the usual agency-driven process. The piece uses President Trump's July 2026 social media directive targeting the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine as a case study for building a defensive record.
Ashley and David outline the immediate steps an entity should take once it becomes the target of such a threat and discuss how those steps can shape both the agency response and any later litigation.
Ashley Callen is Co-Chair of Jenner & Block's Congressional Investigations Practice. She brings 25 years of experience in senior congressional roles, having most recently served as General Counsel to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, where she managed the House's investigative agenda and advised on oversight, ethics, and other high-profile, politically sensitive matters. She previously held senior investigative roles across several key House committees.
David Robbins is Co-Chair of Jenner & Block's Government Contractor Litigation and Compliance Practice. He advises government contractors, grant recipients, and their executives on civil False Claims Act defense, compliance, and suspension and debarment matters. David brings a unique vantage point to this work: he previously served in the Air Force General Counsel's office, where he ran the Air Force's Procurement Fraud Remedies Office and served as acting Suspending and Debarring Official, and he later co-ran the Pentagon's Procurement Fraud Working Group and served on the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee.
Related Attorneys
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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