President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Will Scharf will serve as the new White House counsel [1].
The appointment signals a shift toward a deeply conservative legal approach within the administration as it replaces outgoing counsel David Warrington [2].
Scharf, a conservative lawyer who currently serves as the White House Staff Secretary, was named to the position on Aug. 9, 2026 [1]. He is scheduled to officially assume the role on Sept. 1, 2026 [3].
The White House counsel is one of the most influential positions in the executive branch. The role involves managing the president's legal affairs, overseeing the White House office of legal counsel, and coordinating with other federal agencies on regulatory and legislative matters.
Scharf brings a history of conservative legal practice to the role. His transition from Staff Secretary to counsel indicates a consolidation of legal and administrative power within the president's inner circle, a move intended to streamline the execution of the administration's agenda.
Warrington's departure makes way for Scharf to lead the legal team during a critical period of the term. The transition will occur in early September [3].
“Will Scharf will serve as the new White House counsel”
The replacement of David Warrington with Will Scharf suggests the administration is prioritizing a more ideologically aligned legal strategy. By appointing a trusted conservative lawyer who already holds a high-ranking internal role as Staff Secretary, the president is likely seeking a counsel who can navigate both the legal complexities of the executive branch and the specific political priorities of the administration with minimal friction.
