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Trump appoints staff secretary Will Scharf as new White House counsel
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Donald Trump announced that Will Scharf, who helped secure approval for the $400 million White House ballroom project, will become White House counsel and assistant to the president starting September 1, replacing David Warrington.
- Scharf, a former federal prosecutor and Trump's legal representative in several cases including at the Supreme Court, previously chaired the National Capital Planning Commission, which approved the ballroom construction.
- The White House counsel plays a critical role in advising on legal and policy matters, managing relations with the Justice Department, handling pardons, judicial appointments, and overseeing congressional investigations and lawsuits involving the president.
- This leadership change occurs ahead of the midterm elections, where Republicans aim to maintain control of Congress amid Democratic promises to investigate Trump and his administration if they win.
- The $400 million ballroom project has begun construction despite a federal appeals court ruling to halt it due to lack of congressional approval; Trump plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
