Trump announces staff secretary Will Scharf will be his new White House counsel

President Donald Trump revealed on Sunday that Will Scharf, the current staff secretary, will assume the role of White House counsel starting September 1. Scharf, a former staff secretary and federal prosecutor, will replace David Warrington, who will depart to join the private sector. Trump praised Scharf's toughness, strength, intelligence, and patriotism, stating that he will "do a great job" as White House counsel.

The move comes at a crucial time, just weeks before the midterm elections, as Trump's Republican Party aims to maintain control of Congress. Democrats are expected to investigate Trump and his administration should they secure a victory in November. The White House counsel's office advises on legal and policy matters related to the presidency, manages presidential pardons and judicial appointments, and oversees legislative review.

During Trump's first term, Scharf helped secure confirmations for justices like Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

In the months following Trump's presidency, Scharf joined his legal team in October 2023 and represented him in the election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The case reached the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled in favor of presidential immunity for official acts. Scharf also served as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, where he played a role in securing approval for a $400 million ballroom project at the White House.

The project has faced opposition from a federal appeals court, which ruled in April that construction must halt due to a lack of congressional approval. Trump has vowed to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, despite the project already being underway.