President-elect Donald Trump announced that prominent D.C. attorney Mark Paoletta will return to the White House as General Counsel of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Director Russ Vought. Paoletta, known for his strategic legal prowess, will be instrumental in reversing the course of federal regulations, reducing spending, and implementing reforms recommended by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump praised Paoletta’s dedication to advancing his agenda during the first administration, noting his critical role in securing funds for the border wall. “Mark is a brilliant and tenacious lawyer, who worked tirelessly to advance my Agenda in the First Term,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “As OMB GC in my First Administration, Mark led the charge to identify funding to build the Southern Border Wall, and worked with then-OMB Director Russ Vought to rein in woke and weaponized Government spending.”
Paoletta’s impressive career spans over 30 years, starting with his work in the White House Counsel’s Office during President George H.W. Bush’s administration. He gained recognition for his pivotal role in the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas, with whom he remains a close ally. Known for his unyielding conservative principles, Paoletta has been a key figure in judicial confirmations, congressional investigations, and legal strategy.
During Trump’s first term, Paoletta served as counsel to Vice President Mike Pence before becoming General Counsel at OMB. There, he devised the legal framework to redirect billions for border wall construction, circumventing congressional roadblocks. His partnership with Vought was instrumental in advancing Trump’s policies despite fierce opposition from Democrats.
Russ Vought, returning as OMB Director pending Senate confirmation, expressed enthusiasm for Paoletta’s appointment, writing on social media, “Buckle. Up.” The OMB, often overlooked by the public, wields significant power by shaping federal budgets, overseeing regulatory changes, and managing government expenditures. With Paoletta in place from Day One, the administration is poised to swiftly implement Trump’s ambitious plans.
Paoletta’s role will be critical in enacting recommendations from Musk and Ramaswamy’s DOGE, aimed at overhauling federal bureaucracy, cutting waste, and streamlining operations. While Vought awaits Senate confirmation, Paoletta’s direct appointment allows him to begin work immediately on January 20, ensuring no delay in executing the administration’s agenda.
As Trump prepares to reshape the federal government, Paoletta’s return signals a determined effort to deliver rapid and transformative changes.
