Trump Names Will Scharf as White House Counsel
The staff secretary who chaired the commission that approved the $400 million White House ballroom will replace David Warrington on September 1.
President Trump announced Sunday that Will Scharf, his staff secretary, will become White House counsel and assistant to the president, effective September 1.
Scharf replaces David Warrington, who is leaving the administration for the private sector. Warrington previously served as a personal counsel to Trump and as a lawyer for his 2024 campaign.
Trump noted that Scharf is a former federal prosecutor who represented him in a number of cases, including before the Supreme Court. Scharf also led the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branch agency with jurisdiction over construction and major renovations of government buildings in the Washington region, which approved the president's $400 million White House ballroom project.
"Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!"
Trump named Scharf chair of the commission in July 2025. The ballroom won final approval from the NCPC in April. On Friday, however, a divided federal appeals court ruled that construction must stop because Congress had not approved the project. Trump has vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court. The structure is already well underway and has begun to rise above ground on the east side of the White House.
The shakeup in the White House counsel's office comes at a critical juncture, just months before the midterm elections, in which Trump's Republican Party will fight to hold control of Congress. Democrats have vowed to pursue investigations into Trump and his administration if they win in November.
The White House counsel advises the president on legal and policy questions tied to the presidency. The office is the primary White House contact for the Justice Department, handles presidential pardons, works on judicial appointments and reviews legislation. It also helps manage congressional investigations into the administration and lawsuits filed against the president in his official capacity.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed reporting.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
