Will Scharf White House counsel: Trump names aide as David Warrington exits

[ad_1]

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said Will Scharf will be the new White House counsel from September 1, replacing David Warrington, who is leaving the administration to join the private sector. Scharf is currently the White House staff secretary and has also served as the Trump-appointed head of the National Capital Planning Commission.

The change comes months before the midterm elections, with Trump’s Republican Party set to fight to retain control of Congress. Democrats have said they will pursue investigations into Trump and his administration if they win in November.

Announcing the move on Truth Social, Trump said Scharf had earlier worked as a federal prosecutor and had represented him in multiple cases, including at the Supreme Court. “Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law,” Trump wrote. “Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!”

The White House counsel advises on legal and policy issues linked to the presidency. The office is the White House’s main point of contact for the Justice Department and handles presidential pardons, works on judicial appointments and reviews legislation. It also helps deal with congressional investigations into the administration and lawsuits against the president in his official capacity.

In July 2025, Trump named Scharf chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branch agency that has authority over construction and major renovation projects involving government buildings in the region. In that role, Scharf helped secure approval for Trump’s USD 400 million ballroom project.

The ballroom received final approval from the NCPC in April. However, a divided federal appeals court ruled on Friday that construction on the project must stop because Congress had not approved it. Trump has said he will appeal to the US Supreme Court. The project is already under way and has begun to rise above ground on the east side of the White House.

Overall, Trump has chosen Scharf to take over as White House counsel at a politically important moment, while the president’s ballroom project that Scharf helped clear faces a fresh legal setback.

With PTI Inputs

– Ends

Published By:

India Today Web Desk

Published On:

Aug 10, 2026 04:36 IST

[ad_2]

Source link

Leave a Comment