Don McGahn

Donald F. McGahn
White House Counsel
Assumed office
January 20, 2017
President Donald Trump
Preceded by Neil Eggleston
Member of the Federal Election Commission
In office
July 2008 – September 12, 2013
President George W. Bush
Barack Obama
Preceded by David M. Mason
Succeeded by Lee E. Goodman
Personal details
Born (1968-06-16) June 16, 1968
Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Shannon McGahn
Children 2
Education United States Naval Academy
University of Notre Dame (BA)
Widener University (JD)
Georgetown University

Donald F. "Don" McGahn II (born June 16, 1968) is the current White House Counsel and Assistant to the President for U.S. President Donald Trump, serving since January 20, 2017. He is an American campaign finance lawyer, political operative, and a former Commissioner of the United States Federal Election Commission (FEC).

McGahn was chief counsel for the National Republican Congressional Committee from 1999 to 2008. He was nominated to the Federal Election Commission in 2008 by George W. Bush and served in that role until 2013. McGahn was named White House Counsel by then President-elect Trump in November 2016.

Early life and education

McGahn grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the son of Noreen (Rogan) and Donald McGahn.[1] He attended the United States Naval Academy before receiving a BA in history and computer applications from the University of Notre Dame in 1991. He obtained his JD from Widener University School of Law in 1994 and, as of 2009, had completed coursework toward an LLM at Georgetown University Law Center.[2]

Career

Following his graduation from law school, McGahn worked in campaign finance law at the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Patton Boggs.[3]

Following the 2004 elections, he established McGahn & Associates PLLC.

National Republican Congressional Committee

From 1999 to 2008, McGahn was chief counsel for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).[4] During the early 2000s, he defended House Majority Leader Tom DeLay for his actions during the controversial 2003 Texas redistricting plan. McGahn also represented DeLay in 2005 during a Federal Election Commission audit of the records of Americans for a Republican Majority, DeLay's political action committee.[5]

Federal Election Commission

George W. Bush nominated McGahn as a Republican-selected member of the Federal Election Commission in 2008. He was confirmed on June 24, 2008 by the United States Senate and was sworn in shortly thereafter. He is credited as having played a crucial role in loosening regulations on campaign spending.[6][7] In 2013, McGahn advocated for rules that would require FEC approval for its staffers to share information with federal prosecutors.[8] Critics of the proposed rule said it would interfere with the FEC and Justice Department prosecutions of election violations. McGahn resigned from the FEC in September 2013.[9]

After leaving the FEC, McGahn returned to the law firm Patton Boggs.[4] In 2014 he moved to the law firm of Jones Day in Washington, D.C.[6]

Trump Campaign and Transition

McGahn served as Donald Trump's campaign counsel during his 2016 campaign for president.[4] McGahn successfully oversaw the defense of multiple lawsuits filed to either remove Trump from the ballot or enjoin his campaign operation.

Shortly after Trump won election, he named McGahn General Counsel of the Presidential Transition Team.

White House Counsel

On November 25, 2016, following Trump's election, McGahn was named White House Counsel for the President-elect's new administration.[10][11]

McGahn personally recommended Trump nominate Neil Gorsuch to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. Gorsuch was sworn in on April 7, 2017.

In May 2017 Sally Yates alleged discussions she had with McGahn, beginning on Jan. 26, regarding National Security Adviser Michael T. Flynn’s conversations in December with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.[12] McGahn has not commented on Yates allegations.

Personal life

McGahn is married to Shannon McGahn, staff director of the House Banking Committee. They have two sons.[4] McGahn owns 30 guitars and plays a Gibson Les Paul in Scott's New Band, an '80s cover band that performs in Ocean City, Maryland.[3][6]

References

  1. ↑ "Jean Quinn Rogan Obituary", Citizens' Voice via legacy.com, May 19, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Donald F. "Don" McGahn II". Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 Mullins, Brody; Jacoby, Mary (October 29, 2008). "FEC Chairman McGahn Marches to His Own Tune". Wall Street Journal.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Levine, Carrie (May 9, 2016). "Two very different Donalds, one White House goal". Center for Public Integrity.
  5. ↑ Shenon, Philip (May 19, 2005). "U.S. Audit Is Said to Clear Committee Run by DeLay". The New York Times.
  6. 1 2 3 Terris, Ben (April 11, 2016). "Trump’s own Beltway establishment guy: The curious journey of Don McGahn". The Washington Post.
  7. ↑ Roth, Zachary (March 23, 2016). "Trump's top lawyer helped open political spending floodgates". MSNBC.
  8. ↑ Gold, Matea (July 13, 2013). "FEC engulfed in power struggle over staff independence". The Washington Post.
  9. ↑ Wilson, Reid (September 17, 2013). "Former FEC chairman Donald McGahn resigns from panel". The Washington Post.
  10. ↑ Bender, Michael C.; Palazzolo, Joe (November 26, 2016). "Donald Trump Selects Donald McGahn as White House Counsel". Wall Street Journal.
  11. ↑ http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/02/trump-mcgahn-white-house-lawyer-214801
  12. ↑ "Yates says she expected White House to take action on Flynn". Washington Post. May 8, 2017.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Neil Eggleston		 White House Counsel
2017–present 		Incumbent
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