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President Donald Trump Appoints Will Scharf as White House Counsel
Just the facts
President Donald Trump announced on August 9, 2026, that Staff Secretary Will Scharf will take over as White House Counsel on September 1, 2026. Scharf succeeds David Warrington, who is leaving government service to join the private sector. Scharf previously worked as a federal prosecutor and served as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, an executive agency with jurisdiction over major construction projects on federal land in Washington, D.C. In his new role as chief legal adviser to the president, Scharf will oversee executive legal policy, judicial nominations, executive pardon reviews, and administration responses to congressional investigations and lawsuits.
Why this is news
President Donald Trump announced the appointment of White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf as White House Counsel, effective September 1, 2026. Scharf will succeed David Warrington, who is stepping down to return to the private sector.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.