U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf as the next White House counsel, elevating the former Trump legal ally to one of the most influential legal positions in the administration.
Trump announced the appointment on Sunday, with Scharf expected to assume the position of White House counsel and assistant to the president on September 1.
Scharf, who currently serves as White House staff secretary, oversees the flow and management of documents and administrative matters reaching the Oval Office.
In his new role, he will become a key legal adviser to the president and senior administration officials, particularly as the White House faces a series of legal and political challenges.
His appointment comes at a consequential point in Trump’s second term, with the 2026 midterm elections approaching and the administration potentially facing increased congressional scrutiny and legal disputes.
Axios reported that Scharf’s new responsibilities will include helping manage the administration’s response to congressional investigations, subpoenas, testimony and questions surrounding executive privilege.
Scharf has also chaired the National Capital Planning Commission, which played a role in approving plans for the construction of Trump’s proposed White House ballroom. His background includes legal work on Trump’s behalf, as well as experience as a federal prosecutor.
He will replace David Warrington, who is leaving the White House to return to the private sector. Warrington previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer and was part of the legal team for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
The appointment further places a trusted Trump legal ally at the centre of the administration’s legal strategy, giving Scharf a prominent role in navigating disputes involving presidential powers, executive actions, congressional oversight and other legal matters.
With his transition scheduled for September 1, Scharf is set to become one of the administration’s central figures as Trump heads into a politically sensitive period marked by the approaching midterm elections and potentially intensifying legal battles.
