Trump names Will Scharf as new White House counsel, replacing David Warrington on September 1

Appointment announced

President Donald Trump announced on August 9 via Truth Social that Will Scharf, currently the White House staff secretary, will become White House counsel and assistant to the president effective September 1. Scharf, 40, replaces David Warrington, who Trump said is "going on to the Private Sector." Warrington previously served as personal counsel to Trump and as general counsel for the 2024 campaign.

Scharf is perhaps best known publicly as the lawyer frequently standing over Trump's shoulder in the Oval Office when he signs executive orders, explaining their details. Before joining the White House, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Missouri attorney general in 2024 and worked as one of Trump's personal lawyers. Trump noted that Scharf previously served as a federal prosecutor.

I know Will well! He previously represented me in numerous cases, including at the Supreme Court, during the Biden Administration's corrupt and illegal campaign of Weaponization.

Scharf's role at the National Capital Planning Commission

Trump named Scharf as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) in July 2025. The federal agency, charged by Congress with overseeing construction projects in the Greater Washington region, has historically taken much longer to review significant changes to the White House and new monuments. Under Scharf's leadership, the commission expedited several of Trump's handpicked projects, including the president's planned $400 million White House ballroom, which the NCPC approved in April.

Scharf has also sped up the commission's reviews of Trump's planned triumphal arch, which is expected to be approved at the NCPC's next public meeting in September. Trump, who is seeking to complete the projects before he leaves office in January 2029, has cheered the commission's swift approvals.

Legal challenge to the ballroom

A divided federal appeals court ruled on Friday, August 7, that construction on the ballroom project must stop because Congress had not approved it. The project is already well on its way and has begun to rise above ground on the east side of the White House. Trump has vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Outgoing counsel and political context

Warrington joined the White House after serving as Trump's campaign general counsel during the 2024 election. Before that, he was at Dhillon Law Group, the firm owned by current Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, where he represented Trump allies including Michael Flynn and Sebastian Gorka. Trump praised Warrington, saying he did "a truly outstanding job" as counsel.

The staff change is the latest example of Trump White House staff, many of whom have had longer tenures than aides in Trump's first term, increasingly leaving the administration in recent months. The change in the White House counsel's office comes months ahead of the November midterm elections, where Trump's Republican party will fight to retain control of Congress. Democrats have vowed to pursue investigations into Trump and his administration if they are successful in November.

The White House counsel advises on legal and policy questions related to the presidency, serves as the primary White House contact for the Justice Department, handles presidential pardons, works on judicial appointments, reviews legislation, and helps manage congressional investigations and lawsuits against the president in his official capacity.

Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law.