Trump Names Longtime Legal Ally Will Scharf as Next White House Counsel

U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed his longtime legal ally and trusted adviser, Will Scharf, as the next White House Counsel, placing him in one of the administration's most influential legal positions just months before the November midterm elections.

Scharf will officially assume the role on September 1, succeeding David Warrington, who is leaving the administration to join the private sector. The appointment elevates Scharf from his current position overseeing administrative operations in the Oval Office to serving as the president's chief legal adviser.

Announcing the appointment on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump praised Scharf as "tough, strong, and brilliant."

A former federal prosecutor, Scharf joined Trump's legal team in 2023 and played a key role in defending the president against election interference charges. He also helped represent Trump in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established broad presidential immunity from prosecution for certain official acts.

Following Trump's return to office in January, Scharf was appointed White House Staff Secretary, a role that placed him at the center of the administration's decision-making process. In July, he was also named chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, which approved the controversial $400 million project to demolish the White House East Wing and construct a new ballroom proposed by Trump.

The White House Counsel serves as the president's chief legal adviser, providing guidance on constitutional and legal matters while overseeing the administration's response to lawsuits, congressional investigations, and other legal challenges.

Scharf assumes the position at a politically sensitive time. Democratic leaders have indicated that, if they secure control in the November midterm elections, they intend to launch multiple investigations into the Trump administration, making the role of White House Counsel particularly critical in the months ahead.