President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Will Scharf will serve as his new White House counsel, effective September 1. Scharf, who currently holds the position of staff secretary, will succeed David Warrington, who is transitioning to the private sector.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, stating that Scharf is "Tough, Strong, and Smart!" and that he "loves our Country, and respects the Law." He expressed confidence that Scharf "will do a great job as White House Counsel."
Scharf has prior experience as a federal prosecutor and has represented Trump in various legal cases, including at the Supreme Court. In July 2025, Trump appointed Scharf as the chair of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), an executive branch agency responsible for overseeing construction and major renovations of government buildings in the Washington, D.C., region.
Under Scharf's leadership, the NCPC granted final approval for a $400 million ballroom project. However, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that construction on the project must halt, citing a lack of congressional approval. Trump has indicated his intention to appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The project has already commenced construction and is visibly rising above ground on the east side of the White House.
The appointment comes several months before the midterm elections, a period when Trump's Republican Party aims to maintain control of Congress. Democrats have stated their intention to pursue investigations into Trump and his administration should they gain power in November.
The White House Counsel's office provides legal and policy advice to the president. It acts as the primary liaison between the White House and the Justice Department, handles presidential pardons, contributes to judicial appointments, and reviews legislation. Additionally, the office manages congressional investigations into the administration and defends the president in official capacity lawsuits.