President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Will Scharf, the current White House staff secretary, will ascend to the role of White House counsel and assistant to the president. The appointment takes effect September 1.
A Strategic Shift in the Counsel’s Office
Scharf replaces David Warrington, who is departing the administration to move into the private sector. Warrington’s tenure included service as a personal counsel and lawyer for Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Endorsements from Truth Social
Trump unveiled the appointment via a post on Truth Social. ドナルド・トランプ大統領は、9月1日付でWill Scharf氏を大統領補佐官兼ホワイトハウス法律顧問に任命することを発表できるのは大きな名誉であると述べました。
彼は自身の新たな法律顧問について、Will Scharf氏はタフで強靭かつ聡明な人物であり、国を愛し法を尊重していることから、ホワイトハウス法律顧問として素晴らしい仕事をしてくれるだろうと高く評価しました。
Building a Track Record in the Administration
Scharf moves from the administrative machinery of the Oval Office—where he managed the flow of documents to the president—to the helm of the administration’s legal strategy. His influence has already been felt in the capital’s physical landscape; in July 2025, Trump appointed him chair of the National Capital Planning Commission.
In that capacity, Scharf helped secure approval for the $400 million White House ballroom project, which cleared the commission in April.
A History of Legal Advocacy
A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Scharf brings experience as a federal prosecutor and time in private practice. His resume also includes clerkships for two federal appeals court judges.
His alignment with Trump is long-standing. Scharf joined the president’s legal team in October 2023, representing him in several cases, most notably the federal election interference case led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. He was part of the legal team that secured the 2024 Supreme Court ruling establishing broad immunity for presidents regarding official acts.
During Trump’s first term, Scharf worked on the confirmation of federal judges, including U.S. Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Notably, Justice Kavanaugh previously served as White House staff secretary for President George W. Bush.
High Stakes Before the Midterms
The transition arrives as the administration faces a pressurized political calendar. With midterm elections approaching, the Republican Party is battling to retain its congressional majority, while Democrats have signaled their intent to launch investigations into the administration should they win in November.
The White House counsel’s office sits at the center of these pressures. As the primary point of contact for the Justice Department, the office manages presidential pardons, judicial appointments, and legislative review. It also bears the burden of navigating congressional inquiries and defending the president against civil litigation.