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Don McGahn is an American lawyer who was legal counsel to the White House under President Donald Trump from January 2017 to October 2018. He likewise served on the Federal Election Commission for a long time.
Quick Facts | |
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Birth name |
Donald Francis McGahn II
|
Born | June 16, 1968 |
Birth place | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
Nationality | American |
Education |
University of Notre Dame (BA),
Widener University (JD), Georgetown University (LLM). |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Wife | Shannon McGahn |
Political party | Republican |
Children | 2 |
Height |
1.78 m
|
Weight | 77 KG |
Previous office | White House Counsel (2017–2018) |
Early life
Don McGahn was born in June 16, 1968 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States, McGahn grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey and first studied at the University of Notre Dame. In 1994 he graduated in Law at Widener University.
Education
He quickly went to the United States Naval Academy before exchanging to the University of Notre Dame. At the University of Notre Dame he got a B.A. degree in history and PC applications. He acquired his J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law in 1994 pursued by a LL.M. degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2002.
Personal life
McGahn has been married since late 2010 to Shannon Flaherty, who has been a political advisor to the National Association of Realtors since October 2018. Previously, she was a member of the congressman Jeb Hensarling and, in 2017/18, adviser to Finance Minister Steven Mnuchin. The couple has two sons and lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
Career
Lawyer activity
McGahn worked as a partner in party finance law for the law firm Jones Day in Washington, DC and for several years as a legal adviser to the National Republican Congressional Committee. From 2008-2013 he was at the instigation of the Republicans in the Senate one of the representatives of the Republican Party in the Federal Election Commission and its chairman temporarily.
Work for Donald Trump
McGahn, he was one of the leading lawyers in Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016 and was a member of the transition team after Trump’s election victory. President Trump, who has just entered office, appointed McGahn Legal Adviser to the White House on January 20, 2017, after choosing McGahn in mid-November 2017.
McGahn’s legal advisory work focused on preparing for judge nominations and deregulation efforts. Unlike all previous legal advisors, he had no experience as an insider of political or administrative institutions and served as a link to the party leadership of the Republicans in Congress, which was initially skeptical of the new president. McGahn was relatively independent in this position and understood himself more as an advisor to the Office than the person of the President, which led to conflicts with Trump, who doubted McGahn’s loyalty.
He was named for his role in the inadequate review of National Security Advisor Michael T. Flynn, who resigned after a few weeksand criticized the delayed introduction of the entry ban for Muslim-majority residents ( Executive Order 13769 ). McGahn, despite some initial concerns, agreed to the dismissal of FBI director James Comey and questioned Justice Secretary Jeff Sessions about his decision to withdraw from the oversight of the Russia investigation for bias.
In January 2018, the New York Times announced that Trump had instructed McGahn in June 2017 to initiate the release of special investigator Robert Mueller , who will direct the investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 US election campaign. McGahn had warned against this step, threatening that he would rather resign himself before doing so. Thereupon Trump let go of his plan.
On August 29, 2018, Trump announced that McGahn would leave the White House in the fall of 2018. In mid-August, the New York Times reported that McGahn had “extensively” cooperated with special investigator Mueller. On October 17, 2018, McGahn’s employment at the White House ended. The Senate Republicans Mitch McConnell (majority leader) and Chuck Grassley (Chairman of Justice Committee) responded to McGahns finish with deep concern. As a successor had Trump the Washington business lawyer on October 16, Pat Cipollone determined.
***Facts About Don McGahn***
- Does he smoke?: No
- Does he drink alcohol?: No
- Don McGahn was born and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States.
- Height?: 5 feet 8 inch
- Weight?: 77 Kg
- Hair Color?: Red black
- Eye Color?: Black
- Hobbies?: Reading, traveling.
- Favorite food?: Healthy food.
- Favorite color?: Blue, black, white and yellow.
Did you know…
- Don McGahn started his government work in 2008 as Chair of the Federal Election Commission.
NOTABLE MOMENTS
Year | Event | |
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1968 | He was born on June 16, 1968 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
2008 | Worked as Chair of the Federal Election Commission | |
2008 | He became Member of the Federal Election Commission. | |
2010 | He got married in 2010. | |
2017 | Became White House Counsel. |
Don McGahn Photos
References
Wikipedia | HuffPost | The Guardian | CNBC.com | POLITICO | Forbes | USA Today