President Donald Trump has announced that former chief of staff, Will Scharf, will be the new legal advisor to the White House. As head of the National Capital Planning Commission, Scharf helped secure approval for the construction of a ballroom worth $400 million at the presidential residence.
Trump stated that Scharf will replace David Warrington, who is leaving the government to join the private sector starting September 1. He added that Scharf previously served as a federal prosecutor and represented him in various cases, including before the Supreme Court, as reported by Ap.
"Will is tough, strong, and smart! He also loves our country and respects the law," Trump wrote on his social media platform. "Will Scharf will do a great job as the White House legal advisor!"
The reorganization in the White House legal advisor's office comes just a few months before the midterm elections, where Trump's Republican Party will fight to maintain control of Congress. If successful in the November elections, Democrats have promised to push investigations into Trump and his government.
Scharf's new role involves advising on legal and policy matters related to the presidency. The office is the main link between the White House and the Department of Justice, handling presidential pardons, judicial appointments, and reviewing bills. It also assists in investigating and managing congressional inquiries related to the government and lawsuits against the president in his official capacity.
Trump had appointed Scharf in July 2025 as the chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, the agency with jurisdiction over major construction and renovations of government buildings in the region.
The ballroom received final approval from the commission in April, although a federal appeals court ruled on Friday in a split decision that construction should be halted because Congress had not given the green light. Trump has pledged to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The project is already well underway and has begun to rise above ground level on the east side of the White House.