WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that his new White House counsel will be Will Scharf, the staff secretary who as the Trump-appointed head of the National Capital Planning Commission helped secure approval for the $400 million ballroom project.
Trump said that, beginning Sept. 1, Scharf will be replacing David Warrington, who will be leaving the administration to join the private sector. Trump noted that Scharf previously served as a federal prosecutor and represented him in a number of cases, including at the Supreme Court.
“Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!”
The shakeup in the White House counsel's office comes at a critical juncture — just months ahead of the midterm elections, where Trump's Republican Party will be fighting to hold on to control of Congress. Democrats have vowed to pursue investigations into Trump and his administration if they are successful in November.
The White House counsel’s job is to advise on legal and policy questions related to the presidency. The office is the primary White House contact for the Justice Department, and it handles presidential pardons, works on judicial appointments and reviews legislation. The office also helps investigate and manage congressional investigations into the administration and lawsuits against the president when he is sued in his official capacity.
During Trump's first term, Scharf worked to get judges and justices confirmed for him. They included U.S. Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh — who himself served as White House staff secretary for President George W. Bush — and Amy Coney Barrett.
In the period when Trump was out of office, Scharf joined his legal team in October 2023 and was one of his lawyers in the election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The case went before the Supreme Court, which ruled that presidents enjoy sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts.
Scharf is among several of Trump’s lawyers who have been rewarded with spots in his second administration. Todd Blanche, who represented Trump during the Republican’s hush money trial in New York. was confirmed last week as attorney general.
As White House staff secretary, Scharf was responsible for managing the papers that cross the president’s desk. He is at Trump's side when the president signs executive orders and often provides running narration on what Trump is signing.
Trump in July 2025 named Scharf as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branch agency with jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in the region.
Trump's ballroom won final approval from the NCPC in April, though a divided federal appeals court ruled Friday that construction on the project must stop because Congress had not approved it. Trump has vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The project is already well on its way and has begun to rise above ground on the east side of the White House.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Morristown, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jake Bauers singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th after Luis Lara made a spectacular run-saving catch in the top half of the inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Sunday.
Bauers' one-out single to shallow left off Yoendrys Gómez (2-2) brought home Brice Turang, who slid across the plate before catcher Ryan Jeffers could apply the tag. A replay review confirmed the call from home plate umpire Chad Whitson.
Minnesota went scoreless in the top of the 10th after Lara made a leaping catch at the wall on Kody Clemens' drive to right to prevent a run from scoring. Lara also had made an incredible play in front of the wall to rob Brooks Lee of an extra-base hit in the sixth inning.
Royce Lewis advanced to third on Clemens' drive but was stranded there when DL Hall (1-0) struck out Lee.
Bauers also homered in the fifth inning, and Jackson Chourio also went deep to help the Brewers win the series. Lee and Clemens homered off Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski.
Minnesota had tied the game at 3-all on Clemens' two-run shot in the sixth. Clemens’ homer came immediately after Josh Bell drew a free pass for Misiorowski’s only walk of the day.
Both teams wasted chances afterward.
The Brewers left runners on third and second in the sixth. They stranded men on first and second in the seventh and ninth.
Minnesota left the bases loaded in the seventh and eighth.
Misiorowski allowed three runs and four hits in six innings. He struck out nine to increase his major league-leading total to 204.
Minnesota’s Connor Prielipp struck out seven and allowed three runs, five hits and two walks in five innings.
The Twins open a three-game home series with the Baltimore Orioles. The scheduled starting pitchers for Monday's series opener are Minnesota's Dean Kremer (1-4, 5.93 ERA) and Baltimore's Trevor Rogers (7-7, 4.20).
The Brewers start a West Coast trip at San Diego. Logan Henderson (8-1, 2.70) pitches for Milwaukee and Casey Mize (4-7, 3.40) starts for San Diego on Monday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Minnesota Twins' Brooks Lee (22) greets Luke Keaschall (15) after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher DL Hall reacts to the final out of the top of the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers, center left, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walkoff RBI single, allowing Brice Turang to score, during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Milwaukee Brewers' Garrett Mitchell (5) douses Jake Bauers (9) after a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio reacts after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Minnesota Twins pitcher Connor Prielipp throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Milwaukee Brewers' Gary Sánchez scores on an RBI double hit by David Hamilton during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Minnesota Twins' Kody Clemens (2) hits a two-run home run as Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sánchez, center, and umpire Chad Whitson, left, look on during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
