U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Will Scharf as his new White House counsel, effective Sunday, August 9, 2026. Scharf, who previously served as the staff secretary, played a significant role as the Trump-appointed head of the National Capital Planning Commission, where he was instrumental in securing approval for a $400 million ballroom project in Washington, D.C.
Political Context
Mr. Scharf will be replacing David Warrington, who will be leaving the administration to join the private sector. Mr. Trump noted that Mr. The shakeup in the White House counsel’s office comes at a critical juncture — just months ahead of the midterm elections, where Mr. Trump’s Republican Party will be fighting to hold on to control of Congress. Democrats have vowed to pursue investigations into Mr. Trump and his administration if they are successful in November. The White House counsel’s job is to advise on legal and policy questions related to the presidency. The office is the primary White House contact for the Justice Department, and it handles presidential pardons, works on judicial appointments and reviews legislation. The office also helps investigate and manage congressional investigations into the administration and lawsuits against the president when he is sued in his official capacity. Mr. Scharf as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branch agency with jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in the region. Mr. Mr. Trump has vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump said that, beginning September 1, Mr. Trump in July 2025 had named Mr. Because congress had not approved it, trump’s ballroom won final approval from the NCPC in April, though a divided federal appeals court ruled on Friday (August 7, 2026) that construction on the project must stop.
Scharf previously served as a federal prosecutor and represented him in a number of cases, including at the Supreme Court.
