President Trump has appointed Mark Paoletta as the new chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the federal agency responsible for supervising significant development projects in the Washington, D.C. area. Paoletta, who currently holds four other positions within the administration, took over the role on Wednesday.
Paoletta's existing roles include serving as general counsel of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). He is one of a few administration officials to return to a previous post held during Trump's first term, demonstrating his loyalty to the president. He also serves as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, chief legal officer of USAID, and acting administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
He replaces Will Scharf, who is transitioning to a new position as White House counsel. Paoletta expressed his honor at the appointment, stating, “President Trump has transformed DC into a Capital worthy of the greatest nation in history. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to further the president’s historic restoration and beautification of the National Capital Region, especially in the 250th year of our country’s independence.”
The NCPC's oversight includes projects such as the under-construction White House ballroom and a proposed triumphal arch along the Potomac River. The commission approved plans for the White House ballroom in April and is currently reviewing the proposed 250-foot arch near the Lincoln Memorial. Other projects under the commission's purview include the renovation of the Federal Reserve building, a potential expansion of the National Zoo, and the replacement of the RFK stadium with a new arena.
Paoletta has a background in conservative legal circles and is known to be a friend of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, whose nomination he assisted with as an assistant counsel to President George H.W. Bush. He has also been vocal in supporting the administration's policy decisions, including a rollback of federal greenhouse gas restrictions. Scharf, the outgoing chairman, had previously served as Trump's staff secretary. 
