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.

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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.

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.

Read More

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 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.

News and Insights

Event

Partner Terri Mascherin to Speak at Illinois State Bar Association Seminar on Negotiation Ethics

On November 11, Partner Terri Mascherin will join a faculty panel for the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) continuing legal education (CLE) seminar “Negotiation Ethics: Winning Without Selling Your Soul.”

November 11, 2026

Publications

Partner Emily Loeb Discusses What the 2026 Midterms Mean for Congressional Oversight in the Financial Times

Partner Emily Loeb, co-chair of Jenner & Block’s Congressional Investigations Practice, was quoted in the Financial Times in an article examining how companies are preparing for congressional oversight as the new Congress takes shape following the 2026 midterm elections.

November 4, 2026

Publications

Congressional Oversight after Trump v. United States, Lawfare

Special Counsel David Manners-Weber authored an article for Lawfare examining how the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Trump v. United States may weaken Congress’s ability to investigate the executive branch.

 

November 2, 2026

Publications

In Politico, Partner Emily Loeb Discusses How Companies Are Preparing for Congressional Oversight 

Partner Emily Loeb was spoke with Politico for a story examining how companies are preparing for heightened congressional oversight, particularly those that could become the focus of investigations centered on affordability and accountability. 

 

October 29, 2026

Recognition

Partner Katie Wynbrandt Named a 2026 Rising Star by The National Law Journal 

Partner Katie Wynbrandt has been named a 2026 DC Rising Star in the appellate category by The National Law Journal at its DC Legal Awards.

October 26, 2026