By August 10, 2026, President Trump announced that Will Scharf will take over as the next White House counsel. Scharf, currently the White House staff secretary, will replace David Warrington, who is moving to the private sector on September 1.
Scharf’s role in the White House involves overseeing the president’s information, paperwork, and executive orders. He often presents executive orders to the president for signing and provides explanations. Additionally, he chairs the National Capital Planning Commission, responsible for major projects like the president’s triumphal arch.
“Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law,” stated the president. “Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!”
Scharf, aged 40, is a Princeton University graduate with a law degree from Harvard University Law School. Previously, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Missouri, handling cases related to violent crimes from 2020 to 2022.
The role of White House counsel involves providing legal guidance to the president and their team. Scharf’s appointment arrives just before the midterm elections, a period where Democrats could reclaim one or both chambers of Congress. This scenario recalls the time when Democrats took the House in 2019, leading to examinations and President Trump’s first impeachment.
The announcement of Scharf as White House counsel followed the Senate’s confirmation of Todd Blanche, former personal defense attorney to the president, as the new U.S. attorney general.