Will Scharf Appointed as Next White House Counsel

By August 10, 2026 / 10:29 AM EDT / CBS News

Washington — President Trump has announced that Will Scharf, currently serving as the White House staff secretary, will become the next White House counsel. Scharf will assume his new role on September 1, as David Warrington, the current White House counsel, transitions to the private sector. This announcement was made on Sunday via Truth Social.

Scharf plays a key role in the White House by managing the flow of information and overseeing paperwork and executive orders. He is well-known for presenting executive orders to President Trump and explaining their contents. Additionally, Scharf serves as the chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, involved in projects like the president’s triumphal arch.

“Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country and respects the Law,” President Trump expressed. “Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!”

Will Scharf, aged 40, holds a degree from Princeton University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Prior to his role in the White House, Scharf worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Missouri, focusing on prosecuting violent crimes from 2020 to 2022.

The position of White House counsel involves providing legal guidance to the president and the executive team. Scharf’s appointment comes at a crucial time, just ahead of the midterm elections, raising the possibility of Democrats reclaiming one or both houses of Congress. Previously, when Democrats took control of the House in 2019, President Trump’s administration faced intense scrutiny, including numerous subpoenas and investigations, leading to his first impeachment.

The announcement concerning Scharf was made shortly after the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, formerly the president’s personal defense attorney, as the new U.S. attorney general.