President Donald Trump on Wednesday appointed White House adviser David LaCerte to fill the open seat at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the independent agency responsible for regulating interstate energy markets.
LaCerte is nominated to fill the seat vacated by former FERC Chair Willie Phillips. The term ends in June 2026.
LaCerte currently serves as principal White House liaison and senior adviser to the Office of Personnel Management’s director. He previously served as the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs but resigned in 2015 following allegations of poor conditions and oversight at nursing homes.
A joint investigation by Louisiana officials in 2016 found that LaCerte gave a state contract to a classmate, mismanaged funds and engaged in illegal travel practices. LaCerte sued the report’s authors for defamation. A state district court granted summary judgment against LaCerte, but the case was remanded for further proceedings in May by an appeals court.
