Trump Names Will Scharf White House Counsel

President Trump has named Will Scharf, currently the White House staff secretary, to become White House counsel effective September 1. Scharf will succeed David Warrington, who is departing for the private sector. The move places a lawyer with direct experience in Trump’s legal matters into one of the administration’s central advisory roles at a time when congressional dynamics could shift after the November midterms.

Scharf joined Trump’s legal team in 2023 and participated in the federal election interference case that reached the Supreme Court. The Court’s 2024 decision established broad presidential immunity for official acts, a ruling that clarified boundaries between executive authority and potential prosecution. Scharf also served as staff secretary, managing the flow of documents through the Oval Office, and chaired the National Capital Planning Commission, where he handled approvals related to White House construction projects.

Trump described Scharf as tough, strong, and smart, citing his background as a federal prosecutor and his work on multiple legal matters. In his new position, Scharf will advise the president and senior staff on legal questions while coordinating responses to congressional inquiries. The counsel’s office routinely addresses issues of executive privilege and document production when the legislative and executive branches interact.

The timing places Scharf in the role two months before voters decide control of Congress. Past transitions in House or Senate majorities have often led to increased subpoena activity and disputes over information sharing. Officials familiar with the counsel’s responsibilities note that preparation for such exchanges requires attorneys who understand both courtroom procedure and the administrative record-keeping of the executive branch.

Scharf is not the only member of Trump’s prior legal team to assume a senior government post. Todd Blanche, another former personal lawyer, was confirmed as attorney general earlier this month. D. John Sauer, who presented arguments in the immunity case before the Supreme Court, has served as solicitor general since 2025. These appointments reflect a pattern of drawing on lawyers who handled high-stakes litigation involving the president.

As staff secretary, Scharf gained familiarity with the daily operations of the White House and the coordination required across agencies. That experience may prove relevant when the counsel’s office must balance internal policy review with external legal demands. The role does not involve setting legislative priorities but focuses on ensuring that executive actions remain within established legal frameworks.

Observers expect the counsel’s office to continue emphasizing institutional separation between branches. Historical patterns show that administrations of both parties have defended executive prerogatives when facing congressional requests for testimony or records. Scharf’s prosecutorial background and recent work on immunity litigation position him to address those questions with attention to precedent and practical outcomes.