Trump picks staff secretary Will Scharf for top White House legal role

Donald Trump has announced that Will Scharf will become White House counsel and assistant to the president from 1 September. The move places the current staff secretary and Trump's former lawyer in the administration's top White House legal post.US President Donald Trump ppoints Will Scharf as White House counsel. (Photo: Reuters)US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf will take over as White House counsel and assistant to the president from September 1.Making the announcement in a social media post, Trump praised Scharf’s work in the administration and said he would replace David Warrington, whom he described as having done an “outstanding job” as White House counsel and earlier for his presidential campaign.Scharf, who currently oversees the administrative operations of the Oval Office as staff secretary, will become the administration’s top legal adviser at the White House.Trump said Scharf had performed an “amazing job” in his current role and highlighted his tenure as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission. He also noted that Scharf had represented him in several legal cases, including before the US Supreme Court, and had previously served as a federal prosecutor, worked in private legal practice and clerked for two federal appeals court judges. The US president also pointed to Scharf’s academic credentials, saying he had been a top student at both Princeton University and Harvard Law School. “Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law,” Trump wrote, adding that he was confident Scharf would do a “great job” as White House counsel.In addition to his current duties, Scharf has chaired the National Capital Planning Commission, the body that recently approved plans for the construction of a new White House ballroom backed by Trump. Trump also announced that current White House Counsel David Warrington would leave the administration and move to the private sector. Before joining the White House, Warrington served as one of Trump’s personal attorneys and was part of his 2024 presidential campaign legal team. Trump thanked Warrington for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.- EndsPublished By: Nitish SinghPublished On: Aug 10, 2026 06:23 IST