Trump Names Mark Paoletta Chair of the National Capital Planning Commission

President Donald Trump appointed Mark Paoletta, the general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). Paoletta replaces Will Scharf, who is moving to the White House counsel’s office. The 12-member NCPC reviews federal and certain local projects in the Washington, D.C., region, including the president’s White House ballroom reconstruction and a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near the Potomac River.

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The commission’s current portfolio includes:

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• The demolition of the former East Wing and construction of a new ballroom, slated for completion before the end of the president’s term.

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• A 250-foot arch to be built across the Potomac River from Arlington National Cemetery, which would require a waiver of the district’s 130-foot height limit.

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• Security upgrades to Lafayette Park, a possible expansion of the National Zoo, and the replacement of the former RFK stadium with a professional-football arena.

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Paoletta has held multiple senior roles in the Trump administration, including acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and chief legal officer of USAID. He previously served as general counsel for Vice President Mike Pence and represented Ginni Thomas before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. His close ties to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas have been noted in prior reporting.

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The NCPC’s website describes its mandate as overseeing “planning, policymaking and project review” for federal and certain local initiatives in the capital region.

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• “President Trump has transformed D.C. into a capital worthy of the greatest nation in history,” — Mr. Paoletta, projects the president

New York Times

• “I am honored to be appointed by President Trump to serve as Chairman of the NCPC,” — Mark Paoletta, projects the president

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