Trump Names Scharf White House Counsel, Replacing Warrington
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- Will Scharf will become White House Counsel on September 1, replacing David Warrington, who is leaving for the private sector
- Scharf previously served as a federal prosecutor and represented Trump in cases including at the U.S. Supreme Court
- Trump appointed Scharf in July 2025 as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, where he helped secure approval for the $400 million White House ballroom project
- A divided federal appeals court ruled on August 7 that ballroom construction must halt without Congressional approval; Trump has vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court
- The counsel's office is the primary White House contact for the Justice Department and handles presidential pardons, judicial appointments, and congressional investigations — a critical role given Democrats have vowed aggressive probes if they win the midterms
- Trump praised Scharf on Truth Social as 'Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law'
Why it matters: The White House Counsel runs congressional-investigation defense and the pardon process, making the pick a midterm-cycle hedge as Republicans fight to hold Congress against Democrats who have pledged investigations. Scharf's recent work chairing the NCPC and greenlighting the $400 million ballroom means he inherits defending that very project in court after Friday's appellate ruling blocking construction.
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