The NRC is undergoing a period of transition, including the unexpected departure of Commissioner Christopher Hanson.
Commissioner Christopher Hanson Dismissed
On June 14, 2025, Commissioner Christopher Hanson was relieved of his duties by the president, effective immediately. Hanson was first appointed to the NRC in 2020 and named chair by then-President Joseph Biden in 2021. He served as chair through January 20, 2025 and was expected to complete his second five-year term, set to run through 2029 following his 2024 reappointment.
Hanson’s removal came via email notification from the White House. While no official reason has been made public at this time, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told National Public Radio, “All organizations are more effective when leaders are rowing in the same direction” and that “President Trump reserves the right to remove employees within his own Executive Branch who exert his executive authority.”
Hanson has previously voiced opposition to several administration actions. He described the dismissal as “unexpected,” but has not announced any legal action in response to his removal.
Broader Context: Removals Across Independent Agencies
Hanson’s dismissal is part of a broader pattern of recent removals of heads of independent federal agencies by the US administration. Earlier in 2025, multiple commissioners at independent agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) were removed before their terms expired.
Recent court decisions have grappled with the president’s authority to remove officials from independent agencies.
On June 13, 2025, a federal judge ruled that the removal of three CPSC commissioners, who were appointed to fixed seven-year terms, was not permitted under the statute governing their service. The court ordered their reinstatement, finding the removal inconsistent with the Consumer Product Safety Act.
In May 2025, however, the US Supreme Court issued a decision in Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, et al. v. Gwynne A. Wilcox, et al., concerning the president’s authority to remove members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Court ruled in favor of the administration, holding that the statutory protections limiting removals were unconstitutional because they overly restricted executive authority.
David Wright Nominated for Reappointed to NRC
Shortly following Hanson’s dismissal, on June 16, 2025, President Donald Trump nominated David Wright of South Carolina to be reappointed as an NRC commissioner for a five-year term, expiring June 30, 2030. Wright, a Republican, has served on the commission since 2018 and was recently elevated to chairman. Wright’s reappointment is currently before the US Senate.
If not confirmed by the time his current term ends on June 30, 2025, Wright will be required to step down. From July 1 onward, unless and until Wright’s confirmation or a new appointment is made, the commission would operate with only three members: Annie Caputo, Bradley Crowell, and Matthew Marzano.
Implications for the NRC
With Hanson’s dismissal and Wright’s pending reappointment, the NRC’s composition has shifted. The agency typically maintains a 3–2 partisan balance, but now operates with a 2–2 split.
As of June 2025, the NRC commissioners are:
- David A. Wright (Chairman) – Republican (Reappointment pending)
- Bradley Crowell – Democrat
- Annie Caputo – Republican
- Matthew Marzano – Democrat
It remains to be seen whether a new commissioner will be nominated to fill Hanson’s vacancy, or whether legal challenges will be filed. A spokesperson for the agency noted, “The NRC has functioned in the past with fewer than five commissioners and will continue to do so.”
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