Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Trump names Will Scharf as his new White House counsel
The president of the United States has a special lawyer called the White House counsel.
That lawyer helps the president with legal questions and big decisions.
President Donald Trump picked a man named Will Scharf to be his new White House counsel.
Will Scharf already works at the White House, bringing papers to the president.
He is replacing David Warrington, who is leaving to work at a private company.
Mr. Scharf used to be a federal prosecutor and has argued cases for the president at the Supreme Court.
He is also in charge of a planning commission that approved a big $400 million ballroom built near the White House.
Some judges said building work must stop because Congress did not approve the project, but the president wants to appeal.
The change happens just before important elections in November, when both parties are competing for control of Congress.
His new job starts on September 1.
President Donald Trump announced that White House staff secretary Will Scharf will become his new White House counsel, replacing David Warrington.
Scharf, a former federal prosecutor and appellate attorney, represented Trump at the Supreme Court, including in the criminal immunity and election interference cases.
Warrington is leaving the administration to join the private sector, with Scharf assuming the role on September 1.
As chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, Scharf helped secure approval for Trump's $400 million ballroom project at the White House.
The shakeup comes months before the midterm elections, as Democrats have vowed to investigate the Trump administration if they win Congress in November.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, who named White House staff secretary Will Scharf as his new White House counsel, replacing outgoing counsel David Warrington.
- What
- Trump announced that Will Scharf will serve as White House counsel, a key legal advisory role, starting September 1.
- When
- Announced on Sunday; Scharf assumes the role on September 1.
- Where
- The White House in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- David Warrington is leaving for the private sector, and the change comes at a critical juncture ahead of the November midterm elections.
Court and Democratic critics
Trump administration
White House ballroom project
Court and Democratic critics
A divided federal appeals court ruled that construction on the project must stop because Congress had not approved it.
Trump administration
The National Capital Planning Commission, chaired by Scharf, gave the project final approval in April, and Trump has vowed to appeal to the US Supreme Court.
Political stakes around the counsel change
Court and Democratic critics
Democrats have vowed to pursue investigations into Trump and his administration if they win control of Congress in November.
Trump administration
Republicans are fighting to hold on to control of Congress, and Trump praised Scharf as tough, strong and smart.
- New White House counsel
- Will Scharf
- Effective date
- September 1
- Outgoing counsel
- David Warrington
- Reason for departure
- Joining the private sector
- Scharf's current role
- White House staff secretary
- Ballroom project
- $400 million
- Education
- Princeton University and Harvard Law School
- Prior experience
- Federal prosecutor and Trump appellate attorney, including Supreme Court cases
