Will Scharf named Trump’s new White House counsel

US President Donald Trump has appointed Will Scharf as the next White House counsel and assistant to the president.

US President Donald Trump has appointed Will Scharf as the next White House counsel and assistant to the president.

Scharf, who currently serves as White House staff secretary, will take over the legal post on September 1, 2026. He will replace David Warrington, who is set to leave the administration and enter the private sector.

Scharf is a lawyer and political adviser with close ties to Trump. Before joining the White House, he represented Trump in several major legal matters. He was also involved in the presidential immunity case that reached the US Supreme Court.

Scharf previously worked as a federal prosecutor. He also served as a law clerk for federal appeals court judges, giving him experience in both government and federal litigation.

His new position will place him at the centre of the Trump administration’s legal strategy. As White House counsel, Scharf will advise the president on legal issues and oversee matters involving executive privilege, judicial appointments and relations with the Justice Department.

He will also be involved in responding to legal challenges facing the administration. The position is considered particularly important as Trump prepares for growing political and legal pressure ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Scharf joined Trump’s legal team in 2023. He worked on the federal election interference case brought by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. His involvement continued as the case reached the Supreme Court.

In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts. The decision became a major development in the legal battles surrounding Trump.

After Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, Scharf was appointed staff secretary. In that role, he managed documents and other materials sent to the president for review. He also frequently appeared with Trump during executive-order signing ceremonies.

Scharf has also chaired the National Capital Planning Commission. During his tenure, he was involved in the approval process for Trump’s proposed White House ballroom project, which has faced controversy and scrutiny.

His appointment comes at a politically sensitive time for the administration. The White House is dealing with legal and political challenges while preparing for increased congressional scrutiny before the midterm elections.

Trump praised Scharf after announcing the appointment. He described him as “tough, strong, and smart” and highlighted his experience as a federal prosecutor and his work on Trump’s legal cases.