Trump Names Ballroom Project Ally Will Scharf as White House Counsel

WASHINGTON —

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he is naming Will Scharf, his current staff secretary, as the next White House counsel, replacing David Warrington effective September 1.

Scharf has been a fixture in Trump's legal orbit for years. He served as a federal prosecutor before representing Trump in several court cases, including one that reached the Supreme Court, according to Fortune. Trump also appointed Scharf last year to chair the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal agency that oversees construction and major renovation projects on government buildings in Washington. In that role, Scharf helped steer approval of Trump's $400 million ballroom addition to the White House, which the commission signed off on in April, Fortune, the South China Morning Post and The Guardian all reported.

Announcing the move on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump praised his pick in characteristically blunt terms. "Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law," Trump wrote. "Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!"

Warrington, who is leaving to join the private sector, previously worked as Trump's personal lawyer and served as counsel to his 2024 campaign, The Guardian reported.

A job with wide reach

The White House counsel advises the president on legal and policy matters and acts as the main point of contact between the White House and the Justice Department. The office also handles presidential pardons, helps steer judicial nominations, reviews legislation before it reaches the president's desk, and manages the administration's response to lawsuits and congressional investigations, according to Fortune.

The change comes months before the midterm elections, in which Trump's Republican Party is trying to keep control of Congress. Democrats have said they intend to open investigations into Trump and his administration if they win back either chamber, according to Fortune and The Guardian.

The ballroom fight isn't over

The ballroom project that helped bring Scharf into Trump's inner circle is now tied up in court. A divided federal appeals panel ruled Friday that construction must stop because Congress never approved the project, according to Fortune and The Guardian. Trump has said he will appeal to the Supreme Court. Construction has already begun on the east side of the White House, with the ballroom structure rising above ground, according to Fortune.