Trump Appoints Will Scharf as New White House Counsel
WHO:
Al Jazeera - Todd Blanche, who represented Trump during the Republican’s hush money trial in New York, was confirmed last week as attorney general.
AP News - D John Sauer, who argued Trump’s presidential immunity case before the Supreme Court, was appointed solicitor general.
AP News - David Warrington is leaving the administration to join the private sector.
ABC News - President Donald Trump announced Will Scharf as the new White House counsel.
AP News - Will Scharf is the staff secretary and has previously served as a federal prosecutor.
WHAT:
AP News - Scharf was involved in the federal election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which reached the Supreme Court, ruling in 2024 that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts.
CBS News - The ballroom project is already well on its way and has begun to rise above ground on the east side of the White House.
AP News - Trump stated that Scharf will officially begin his role as White House counsel on Sept. 1.
AP News - Scharf was named chair of the National Capital Planning Commission in July 2025.
AP News - The ballroom project won final approval from the NCPC in April, but a divided federal appeals court ruled that construction must stop because Congress had not approved it.
AP News - Trump has vowed to appeal the federal appeals court ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
AP News - Scharf represented Trump in a number of cases, including at the Supreme Court.
AP News - Trump stated, “Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!”
ABC News - Will Scharf will replace David Warrington as White House counsel.
AP News - Scharf helped secure approval for a $400 million ballroom project as the Trump-appointed head of the National Capital Planning Commission.
AP News - Trump stated, “Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law,” regarding Scharf's appointment.
WHERE:
AP News - The ballroom project is located on the east side of the White House.
AP News - The announcement took place in Washington, D.C.
WHEN:
AP News - Scharf will officially begin his role as White House counsel on Sept. 1.
AP News - Scharf joined Trump’s legal team in October 2023.
WHY:
The Guardian - The shakeup in the White House counsel’s office comes at a critical juncture, with Democrats vowing to pursue investigations into Trump and his administration if they are successful in November.
AP News - The change in the White House counsel’s office comes ahead of the midterm elections, where Trump’s Republican Party aims to maintain control of Congress.
HOW:
The Guardian - The White House counsel’s office is the primary White House contact for the Justice Department and handles presidential pardons, works on judicial appointments, and reviews legislation.
AP News - The White House counsel’s office advises on legal and policy questions related to the presidency, handles presidential pardons, works on judicial appointments, and manages congressional investigations into the administration.
AP News - As White House staff secretary, Scharf managed the papers that crossed the president’s desk and provided narration during the signing of executive orders.
(UPDATED August 10, 2026 16:14 UTC)
In a significant development, Todd Blanche, who represented Trump during the hush money trial in New York, has been confirmed as attorney general, while D John Sauer, who argued Trump’s presidential immunity case before the Supreme Court, has been appointed solicitor general. The White House counsel’s office, which plays a crucial role in managing presidential pardons and judicial appointments, is undergoing a shakeup at a critical time as Democrats prepare to investigate Trump and his administration if they succeed in the upcoming November elections. Meanwhile, the ballroom project on the east side of the White House is already underway, rising above ground as part of ongoing renovations.
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(UPDATED August 10, 2026 13:21 UTC)
Trump announced that Scharf will officially take on the role of White House counsel starting September 1. Scharf, who was appointed chair of the National Capital Planning Commission in July 2025, is currently involved in a controversial ballroom project on the east side of the White House that has faced legal challenges. A divided federal appeals court ruled that construction must halt due to a lack of congressional approval, and Trump has vowed to appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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(UPDATED August 10, 2026 04:25 UTC)
David Warrington is leaving the administration to join the private sector, marking a significant change in the White House. President Trump expressed confidence in Will Scharf, who has represented him in various legal cases, stating, “Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!” The White House counsel’s office plays a crucial role by advising on legal and policy questions, managing presidential pardons, overseeing judicial appointments, and handling congressional investigations.
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(UPDATED August 10, 2026 01:23 UTC)
President Trump has announced Will Scharf as the new White House counsel, replacing David Warrington. Scharf, who has served as the staff secretary and previously as a federal prosecutor, will officially begin his role on September 1, and Trump praised him, saying, “Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law.” This change comes as Trump’s Republican Party prepares for the upcoming midterm elections, aiming to maintain control of Congress.