Trump Appoints Staff Secretary Will Scharf as White House Counsel Ahead of Upcoming Midterms

U.S. President Donald Trump has named White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf as the next White House counsel, replacing David Warrington effective September 1, 2026, as Warrington departs the administration for the private sector.The high-profile leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment, arriving just months before the November midterm elections, where Republicans face intense battles to retain congressional control and Democrats vow to launch formal investigations into the administration if they secure majorities.Scharf, a former federal prosecutor who previously represented Trump in critical legal battles—including the Supreme Court case establishing presidential immunity for official acts—has been a prominent fixture in the Oval Office, managing key administrative operations and overseeing the executive order process.In addition to his staff secretary duties, Scharf has served as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, where he expedited approvals for major administration projects, including the White House ballroom construction.As White House counsel, Scharf will serve as the chief legal advisor to the presidency, overseeing judicial nominations, executive pardon reviews, and primary liaison efforts with the Department of Justice, while preparing the executive branch to navigate anticipated congressional oversight, subpoenas, and ongoing constitutional litigation.