Story perspectives

Trump Appointees Face Scrutiny Over Planning Qualifications

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Three men appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump to the National Capital Planning Commission face questions about their qualifications, jeopardizing decisions on a $400 million White House ballroom.
Federal law requires city or regional planning experience; Will Scharf, James Blair, and Stuart Levenbach do not meet these criteria.
Scharf defended his qualifications, citing housing policy work, while Levenbach cited experience with federal building proposals despite a marine ecology background.

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Story summary

Three men appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump to the National Capital Planning Commission face questions about their qualifications, jeopardizing decisions on a $400 million White House ballroom.
Federal law requires city or regional planning experience; Will Scharf, James Blair, and Stuart Levenbach do not meet these criteria.
Scharf defended his qualifications, citing housing policy work, while Levenbach cited experience with federal building proposals despite a marine ecology background.