Trump announced Sunday via Truth Social that Will Scharf, currently serving as White House staff secretary, will assume the role of White House counsel effective September 1st.
Scharf replaces David Warrington, whom Trump praised as having done “a truly outstanding job” both as White House counsel and as counsel for his presidential campaign.
Trump said in the post that Warrington “will be going on to the Private Sector,” signaling an amicable transition between the two senior legal roles.
The president highlighted Scharf’s academic background, noting he was “a top student at both Princeton University, and Harvard Law School,” adding that he clerked for two federal appeals court judges.
Trump also pointed to Scharf’s legal career, which included serving as a federal prosecutor, working in private practice, and representing Trump in multiple cases, including before the Supreme Court.
“Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law,” Trump wrote, offering an unambiguous endorsement of his incoming top White House lawyer.
Scharf is a familiar figure in White House proceedings, often seen standing beside the president during executive order signings, explaining each document before Trump puts pen to paper.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles offered warm congratulations to Scharf on X, writing, “Warmest congratulations to Will Scharf as he will soon take the helm as White House Counsel. There is so much winning ahead!”
Wiles also paid tribute to outgoing counsel Warrington, crediting his tenure with delivering “24 Supreme Court victories and the confirmation of 54 judges,” and expressing confidence in his future endeavors.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt retweeted Wiles’ post, signaling broad support for the transition from across the senior White House communications team.
Conservative commentator Josh Hammer told Fox News Digital during a Monday phone call that Trump “hit a grand slam home run” with the Scharf selection, calling him a “tremendous boon to the White House counsel’s office.”
Hammer and Scharf previously co-founded “Jews Against Soros” in 2023, with Hammer explaining they were “fed up with the idea that” criticism of left-wing political megadonor George Soros constitutes “a dog whistle for antisemitism.”
Hammer further asserted that Soros funds “a ton of antisemitism and anti-Israel activity worldwide,” a claim central to their reasoning for launching the initiative, though Hammer acknowledged the effort did not fully develop.
Scharf also previously served as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, rounding out a resume that spans government service, elite academia, and high-profile litigation at the highest levels of the American judicial system.
