WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that William McGinley will serve as his White House counsel.
McGinley, a seasoned figure in Republican legal circles, previously held the role of White House Cabinet secretary during Trump’s first term before resigning in 2019 to return to private practice. He is currently a partner at Holtzman Vogel.
Earlier this year, McGinley was hired as outside counsel for the Republican National Committee’s election integrity team, as reported by The New York Times.
Throughout his career, McGinley has worked closely with Don McGahn, Trump’s first White House counsel. Both men were partners at the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Patton Boggs before moving to Jones Day in 2014, where McGinley worked alongside McGahn as they both advised on legal matters related to Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Trump praised McGinley in a statement Tuesday evening, commending his legal acumen and his pivotal role in this year’s election victory.
“Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement,” Trump said.
The White House counsel plays a critical role in advising the president on legal and ethical matters, including judicial appointments and executive selections. The position also represents the presidency on legal issues and oversees legal operations within the White House.
Pat Cipollone, the former White House counsel during Trump’s first term, was also subpoenaed and cooperated with the House January 6 committee, where he was described as attempting to rein in Trump’s actions regarding the Capitol riot. Cipollone reportedly urged former aide Cassidy Hutchinson to prevent Trump from going to the Capitol on January 6, 2021.