President Donald Trump has nominated Pierre M. Gentin, Chief Legal Officer at McKinsey, to serve as general counsel at the U.S. Commerce Department, according to Senate records. In addition to Gentin, Trump has nominated several officials for key roles within the department. Neil Jacobs has been selected to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA ), while Arielle Roth has been chosen to head the Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which oversees a $42.5 billion broadband expansion fund. The Senate Commerce Committee is also set to vote on Howard Lutnick’s nomination to lead the department, which will play a significant role in managing export controls and semiconductor manufacturing subsidies.
Jacobs, an atmospheric scientist, previously served as acting NOAA Administrator during Trump’s first term. Trump had initially nominated Barry Myers for the role, but he later withdrew due to health reasons. The White House also nominated Paul Roberti, a former U.S. Transportation Department official, to lead the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. These nominations come as the Commerce Department faces key challenges, including overseeing high-tech export policies and regulating industries critical to national security and economic development.
