President Donald Trump announced Sunday that White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf will become the next White House counsel, marking a significant change in one of the administration’s most important legal positions.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump revealed that Scharf will officially take over the role on Sept. 1, replacing David Warrington, who has served as White House counsel since the president’s inauguration. Trump said Warrington is departing the administration to enter the private sector after what he described as strong service in the position.
“Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law. Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!” Trump wrote while announcing the appointment.
Scharf currently serves as White House staff secretary, a role that places him at the center of the administration’s day-to-day operations. As staff secretary, he manages the flow of documents that reach the president’s desk and has become a familiar figure during public appearances in the Oval Office, frequently handing Trump executive orders for his signature.
Beyond his responsibilities inside the White House, Scharf has also played an important role in advancing the president’s agenda. He serves as chairman of a planning commission responsible for approving many of Trump’s real estate projects throughout the Washington, D.C., area.
Before joining the administration for Trump’s second term, Scharf was already a trusted member of the president’s legal team. He served as one of Trump’s personal appellate attorneys and participated in several high-profile legal battles involving the president.
Among those cases, Scharf was part of the legal team that successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that Trump is entitled to broad criminal immunity as a former president. He also represented Trump on appeal in legal proceedings involving civil claims brought by writer E. Jean Carroll.
Scharf entered the administration after making an unsuccessful bid in 2024 for Missouri’s attorney general. Although that primary campaign fell short, he later joined Trump’s White House and assumed the influential position of staff secretary.
His legal credentials include degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Before his current White House service, Scharf also worked on the confirmation efforts for Trump’s two most recent Supreme Court nominees, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
As White House counsel, Scharf will oversee legal matters affecting the presidency and could play a central role if another vacancy on the Supreme Court emerges during Trump’s administration.
Trump’s announcement did not provide additional details regarding Warrington’s departure beyond stating that he is leaving government service for the private sector.
Even as he announced the transition, the president praised Warrington’s work during his time in the administration.
In the Truth Social post, Trump said Warrington had done a “truly outstanding job,” offering public thanks as the administration prepares for the legal transition at the start of September.
With Scharf set to assume the role next month, the president is turning to a longtime legal ally and trusted White House adviser to serve as his chief legal counsel during the next phase of the administration.
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