Trump Appoints Will Scharf as New White House Counsel

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, August 9, 2026, that he is appointing Will Scharf as the new White House Counsel and Assistant to the President, effective September 1. Scharf will replace David Warrington, who has served in the role since the start of Trump's second term and will be departing to join the private sector.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump praised Warrington for his "truly outstanding job" as White House Counsel and for his prior work on the presidential campaign. The president highlighted Scharf's current roles as White House Staff Secretary and Chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, stating he has done an "amazing job." Trump also noted Scharf's legal background, including his work as a federal prosecutor, private attorney, and clerk for two federal appeals court judges. He emphasized Scharf's representation of him in numerous legal cases, including at the Supreme Court, during what Trump described as the prior administration's "Weaponization."

The White House Counsel serves as the president's top in-house legal adviser, responsible for guiding on legal and policy questions, managing judicial appointments, handling...