President Donald Trump announced Sunday that staff secretary Will Scharf will become the new White House counsel [1].
The appointment signals a shift in the administration's top legal leadership, replacing David Warrington with a trusted aide who has deep ties to the president.
Scharf is scheduled to officially assume the role on Sept. 1, 2026 [2]. The announcement was made on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026 [3].
Trump said Scharf is a trusted choice for the position based on his background as a former federal prosecutor and his tenure as a longtime aide. The president also said Scharf's experience as staff secretary is a key qualification for the role [1].
As staff secretary, Scharf was involved in high-level administration operations. This included oversight of the ballroom project, which carried a cost of $400 million [4].
Scharf's transition to the counsel's office moves him from a managerial role into the primary legal position for the executive branch. The White House counsel is responsible for advising the president on legal matters, and managing the administration's legal strategy in Washington, D.C. [2].
“Will Scharf will replace David Warrington as White House counsel”
The transition from David Warrington to Will Scharf represents a consolidation of legal authority under a known loyalist. By appointing a former federal prosecutor who has already served in the administration's inner circle as staff secretary, the president is prioritizing institutional trust and personal familiarity over external legal recruitment.
