President Donald Trump has appointed White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf as the next White House counsel, placing one of his administration’s trusted legal allies in a key position as the president faces an increasingly complicated series of legal and political battles.
Scharf will formally assume the position on September 1, 2026, replacing David Warrington, who is leaving the administration to enter the private sector.
Trump announced the change on Sunday, describing Scharf as a capable and committed lawyer who would serve the administration well.
The appointment gives Scharf responsibility for advising the president and senior White House officials on a wide range of legal matters.
The White House counsel’s office typically reviews presidential actions, executive orders and legislation, provides advice on constitutional and executive-power questions, and handles legal issues involving the presidency.
Scharf, a former federal prosecutor, is already a familiar figure within Trump’s inner circle. Before joining the administration, he represented Trump in several legal matters, including a major Supreme Court case involving presidential immunity and the federal election-interference investigation. His previous experience on Trump’s legal team has made him one of the administration’s prominent legal figures.
Since joining Trump’s second administration, Scharf has served as staff secretary, a position that places him close to the president and involves managing documents and materials requiring Trump’s attention.
He has also chaired the National Capital Planning Commission, where he played a significant role in the administration’s plans for a new White House ballroom.
His move into the counsel’s office comes at a particularly important moment for the Trump administration.
Several major elements of the president’s agenda have faced legal challenges in federal courts, while the November midterm elections are approaching.
Democrats have indicated that a strong performance could give them greater power to investigate the administration.
Among the issues likely to demand attention from the new White House counsel are executive authority, presidential pardons, litigation involving the administration, congressional investigations and the legal defence of Trump’s policies.
Scharf will therefore occupy a central position in determining how the administration responds to legal challenges.
The transition also continues a broader pattern in Trump’s administration of placing lawyers who have previously worked closely with him in senior government positions. Todd Blanche, another former Trump personal lawyer, has also risen to a prominent position at the Justice Department.
Scharf’s appointment is consequently being viewed as more than a routine personnel change. With Trump confronting legal challenges and approaching another critical election cycle, the White House counsel is expected to play an increasingly important role in protecting the administration’s policies and advising the president on the limits and powers of his office.
For Trump, the choice of Scharf represents the elevation of a lawyer whose experience combines government service, courtroom advocacy and direct knowledge of the president’s legal battles.
