President Trump announced Sunday that Will Scharf, his current staff secretary and a longtime legal ally, will become the next White House counsel, a significant shakeup in the administration's top legal post.
Scharf, who has been a visible presence in the Oval Office handing Trump executive orders to sign, will assume the role on Sept. 1. He replaces David Warrington, who has held the position since Trump's inauguration and is departing for the private sector, according to a post on Truth Social.
In his announcement, Trump praised Scharf as “Tough, Strong, and Smart!” and said he “loves our Country, and respects the Law,” adding that Scharf “will do a great job as White House Counsel.” Trump also thanked Warrington for his service, calling his work “truly outstanding,” but offered no further explanation for the change.
Scharf, a conservative attorney and graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, has been a key figure in advancing Trump's agenda both inside and outside the White House. As staff secretary, he controls the flow of documents to the president's desk, a role that has made him a familiar face in the Oval Office. He also chairs a planning commission that has approved many of Trump's real estate projects in the Washington, D.C., area.
Before joining the administration, Scharf was part of Trump's personal legal team, notably helping secure the Supreme Court's ruling that presidents enjoy broad criminal immunity for official acts. He also represented Trump in the appeal of writer E. Jean Carroll's civil defamation case. His legal pedigree includes work on the confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
Scharf's ascent to White House counsel places him at the center of potential legal battles and judicial vacancies. With Trump's second-term agenda already facing legal and political roadblocks, the counsel's office will be pivotal in navigating such challenges. Scharf's experience in high-stakes litigation could prove useful as the administration continues to push its policies through the courts.
His appointment also comes amid broader personnel moves in the administration, including recent military leadership changes. The White House has not indicated whether further legal staffing changes are imminent.
Scharf's political journey includes a failed 2024 primary challenge to Missouri's attorney general, but he has since become one of Trump's most trusted legal advisers. His transition from outside counsel to inside the administration underscores the president's reliance on loyalists in key positions.
As White House counsel, Scharf will be responsible for advising the president on legal matters, vetting nominees, and defending executive actions. With potential Supreme Court vacancies on the horizon, his role in shaping judicial picks could be significant.
Warrington's departure marks the end of a tenure that began with Trump's return to office. The president's announcement did not specify Warrington's future plans beyond entering the private sector.
