President Donald Trump announced that staff secretary Will Scharf will serve as the new White House counsel and assistant to the president [1, 2].
The appointment marks a shift in the administration's legal leadership as the president replaces a departing official with a trusted aide. This transition occurs as the White House manages ongoing legal and administrative priorities.
Scharf is scheduled to begin his new duties on Sept. 1, 2026 [2]. He takes over the position from David Warrington, who is leaving the administration to enter the private sector [2].
Scharf has previously served in a high-trust capacity for the president. He is credited with helping to secure the $400 million ballroom project [2]. This project represents one of the significant administrative undertakings handled by the staff secretary before his promotion to the legal office.
The White House counsel serves as the primary legal adviser to the president. The role involves navigating constitutional issues, overseeing ethics compliance, and managing the legalities of executive orders.
Scharf's transition from staff secretary to counsel suggests a preference for continuity and loyalty within the president's inner circle. The move allows the administration to keep a proven operative in a critical legal role during the latter part of the year.
“Will Scharf will serve as the new White House counsel”
The appointment of Will Scharf signifies a consolidation of power among aides who have successfully executed the president's specific priorities, such as the ballroom project. By replacing David Warrington with an internal loyalist, the administration reduces the risk of friction between the president's personal goals and the legal guidance provided by the White House counsel's office.
