President Donald Trump just installed a battle-tested lawyer as White House counsel — and he’s ready for the fight Democrats are preparing.
Will Scharf takes over Sept. 1 as White House counsel, bringing firsthand experience defending Trump from special counsel Jack Smith’s election obstruction indictment. The 40-year-old lawyer replaced David Warrington in the role, positioning himself at the center of what could become a brutal oversight war if Democrats retake Congress in November.
Trump announced the move on Truth Social, praising Scharf’s work as White House staff secretary and his defense work on the federal election case.
“Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law.”
Scharf is the face patriots see explaining Trump’s executive orders before the president signs them. A Princeton and Harvard Law grad, he served as a violent crimes prosecutor in Missouri before joining private practice and taking on Trump’s defense.
The White House downplays any connection to midterm election strategy.
“The White House is always prepared to respond to oversight requests, no matter who is in the House or Senate,” a White House official said.
But Republican strategist John Feehery — former press secretary to House Speaker Dennis Hastert — sees the move differently.
Scharf “will be more aggressive” than his predecessor, Feehery said. The new counsel helped confirm Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, giving him frontline experience with Democrat attack tactics.
“It’s smart to get some more energy in that position because the next two years are going to be a real battle if the Democrats win,” Feehery said.
Former U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins agreed. If Democrats retake the House, Scharf will be “at the center of fights over subpoenas, document demands, testimony, and executive privilege.”
“Scharf is a litigator who knows the president, knows the administration, and is not likely to be intimidated by congressional threats,” Cummins said. “I would expect him to forcefully contest demands the White House views as illegitimate rather than simply accommodate Democratic committees.”
Democrats have already telegraphed their strategy: target companies and financial firms with contracts or regulatory exposure to the administration when the White House refuses to cooperate.
Former House oversight committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz called both Warrington and Scharf “talented attorneys” who “both have the trust of the president.”
A former Trump campaign official who worked alongside Scharf described him as “probably one of the most popular staff members” in the administration — someone who “keeps a good amount of levity in the office” while inspiring confidence.
Scharf organized a packed first-100-days party last year at a Washington bar, a sign of the loyalty he’s built inside Trump’s orbit.
“He’s one of the guys you want to be in a foxhole with,” the official said. “Doesn’t get too hot, doesn’t get too cold, and just inspires a lot of confidence amongst his colleagues.”
Scharf ran unsuccessfully for Missouri attorney general in 2024. Before joining Trump’s team, he worked as policy director for former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and clerked for a federal appellate court.
The counsel role puts Scharf in charge of defending executive privilege, managing subpoena fights, and shielding the administration from what Republicans expect will be aggressive Democrat-led investigations if the party flips the House on Nov. 3.
Patriots already know how Scharf handles pressure — he defended Trump when Jack Smith came calling. Now he’s preparing to do it again.
