On Wednesday, President Trump announced the appointment of Mark Paoletta as the new chair of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). Paoletta, who serves as the general counsel for the White House Office of Management and Budget, succeeds Will Scharf in the role.

The NCPC is a federal agency tasked with the planning and oversight of federal land and construction projects within the National Capital Region. The commission’s current portfolio includes the review of proposed projects such as a new White House ballroom and a commemorative arch in Washington, D.C.

While the appointment is a standard administrative transition, the NCPC’s role in approving high-profile presidential construction projects has drawn attention. Paoletta’s background in legal counsel for the Office of Management and Budget suggests a focus on regulatory and budgetary alignment for these projects. Will Scharf, the outgoing chair, is transitioning to a new position within the administration, though specific details regarding his next role were not fully detailed in the initial announcement.