Trump names Will Scharf as White House counsel ahead of midterms | Donald Trump News
Trump Appoints Will Scharf as New White House Counsel
August 10, 2026
President Donald Trump has appointed Will Scharf, the current White House staff secretary, as the new White House counsel, effective September 1. Scharf will replace David Warrington, who is leaving the administration for a position in the private sector.
Scharf, a longtime legal ally of Trump, has previously worked on issues including presidential immunity and the approval of the contentious White House ballroom project. In his new role, he will also serve as assistant to the president, transitioning from overseeing administrative work in the Oval Office to advising on legal matters at the highest levels.
Trump lauded Scharf on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing him as “Tough, Strong, and Smart.” He highlighted Scharf’s experience as a federal prosecutor and his representation of Trump in various legal cases.
Scharf joined Trump’s legal team in 2023, participating in the federal election interference case led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. He was integral to the legal arguments presented to the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2024 that presidents have significant immunity from criminal prosecution for actions performed in an official capacity.
Scharf’s ties to Trump date back to the president’s first term, during which he contributed to the confirmation of several federal judges, including Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Following Trump’s return to office in January 2025, Scharf managed key documents as staff secretary and frequently accompanied the president during the signing of executive orders.
As chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission since July 2025, Scharf played a pivotal role in approving Trump’s ambitious $400 million White House ballroom project, which is set to be built on the site of the demolished East Wing. This project has raised concerns regarding the limits of presidential authority; a federal appeals court recently ruled that major alterations to the White House require explicit congressional approval, which could complicate the project moving forward.
The appointment comes during a sensitive period for the White House, with potential investigations looming should Democrats gain control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.
Scharf’s elevation follows a trend of Trump appointing lawyers who have previously represented him. Recently, Todd Blanche was confirmed as attorney general after defending Trump in criminal cases. Additionally, D John Sauer, who argued Trump’s presidential immunity case at the Supreme Court, was appointed as solicitor general, and former Trump lawyer Emil Bove was appointed to a federal appeals court after serving in a senior Justice Department role.
