Abrams has served as a foreign policy advisor for the administrations of U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump.

He was appointed by President Joe Biden to the non-partisan U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy in 2023.

• He previously served as U.S. deputy national security advisor from 2005 to 2009.

• He is known for his involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair during President Reagan's administration. He was later pardoned by President George H. W. Bush.