Trump names Will Scharf as White House counsel
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
President Donald Trump said Sunday that White House staff secretary Will Scharf will become the next White House counsel on September 1, replacing David Warrington, who is leaving for the private sector. Trump said Scharf previously served as a federal prosecutor and represented him in several cases, including before the US Supreme Court. Scharf also chaired the National Capital Planning Commission, where he helped secure approval for Trump’s US$400 million ballroom project. The personnel change comes months before the midterm elections, with Democrats saying they would investigate Trump and his administration if they win in November.
Key Points
- Trump announced the appointment on Truth Social, praising Scharf as “Tough, Strong, and Smart” and saying he respects the law.
- Scharf will take over on September 1 from David Warrington, who Trump said is leaving the administration to join the private sector.
- The White House counsel advises the presidency on legal and policy matters and serves as the White House’s main contact with the Justice Department.
- The office also handles pardons, judicial appointments, legislative review, and management of congressional investigations and official-capacity lawsuits against the president.
- During Trump’s first term, Scharf worked on confirming judges including Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, and later joined Trump’s legal team in October 2023.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers following US policy and political risk, the White House counsel role matters because it sits at the center of legal decision-making inside the presidency. With midterm elections approaching and possible congressional investigations ahead, Scharf’s appointment could shape how the Trump administration responds to legal challenges, judicial nominations and executive actions that affect Washington’s external policy posture.