U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf as the next White House counsel, replacing David Warrington, who is leaving the administration to join the private sector.
Scharf is expected to formally assume the position on September 1, 2026, according to reports. His appointment places a familiar Trump legal ally in one of the administration’s most important legal positions.
Scharf, a lawyer and former federal prosecutor, has served as Trump’s White House staff secretary since the beginning of the president’s second administration. In that role, he has been responsible for managing documents and other materials that require the president’s attention.
Before joining the White House, Scharf was part of Trump’s legal team and represented him in several high-profile legal matters, including before the U.S. Supreme Court. His previous legal relationship with Trump has made him a trusted figure within the administration.
As White House counsel, Scharf will become a key legal adviser to the president and senior administration officials. His responsibilities are expected to include advising on presidential powers, executive actions, legal challenges and congressional investigations.
The appointment comes at a politically significant moment for the Trump administration, with the 2026 midterm elections approaching. A change in control of Congress could lead to increased congressional investigations and legal disputes involving the administration, making the counsel’s office particularly important.
Scharf will succeed David Warrington, who has served as White House counsel and previously worked as Trump’s personal lawyer and campaign attorney. Warrington is departing government service for an opportunity in the private sector.
Trump praised Scharf following the announcement, describing him as a strong and capable lawyer and expressing confidence that he would perform well as White House counsel.
The transition represents another significant change within Trump’s legal team and places a longtime Trump ally at the center of the White House’s legal strategy as the administration heads into a potentially challenging period.
