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Ex-NLRB Top Lawyer Warns of Trump Threat to Agency Independence
Jennifer Abruzzo says administration's efforts to terminate officials pose risk to independent agencies
Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:25am
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Jennifer Abruzzo, the former general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), warned that the Trump administration's efforts to establish its legal power to terminate officials at the president's behest poses a grave threat to agencies intended to be independent, such as the NLRB.
Why it matters
Abruzzo's comments highlight concerns that the Trump administration's actions could undermine the independence of federal agencies and lead to decisions being made based on self-interest rather than the public good.
The details
Abruzzo, who was fired by President Donald Trump last year, raised concerns about the potential reversal of 90-year-old legal precedent protecting these officials, as well as the impact on the NLRB. She warned that 'potentially having what used to be independent federal agencies basically making decisions on, at best self interest, because they don't want to be fired' poses a serious risk.
- Abruzzo made these comments at an American Bar Association employment law conference in New Orleans on March 19, 2026.
- Abruzzo was fired from her position as NLRB general counsel by President Trump in 2025.
The players
Jennifer Abruzzo
The former general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Donald Trump
The former President of the United States who fired Abruzzo from her position as NLRB general counsel in 2025.
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
An independent federal agency that enforces laws related to collective bargaining and unfair labor practices.
What they’re saying
“Potentially having what used to be independent federal agencies basically making decisions on, at best self interest, because they don't want to be fired”
— Jennifer Abruzzo, Former NLRB General Counsel
The takeaway
Abruzzo's warnings highlight the potential risks to the independence of federal agencies if the Trump administration's efforts to expand its power to terminate officials are successful, which could undermine the ability of these agencies to make decisions in the public interest.
