US President Donald Trump has appointed Will Scharf as the new White House counsel, replacing his predecessor as the administration prepares for the 2026 midterm elections.
Scharf, a lawyer who has been closely aligned with Trump, is expected to advise the president and the White House on legal and constitutional matters, including executive actions and other major policy decisions.
His appointment comes at an important point for the Trump administration, with the midterm elections approaching. The White House is expected to face increased legal and political challenges as the administration pushes its agenda ahead of the elections.
Scharf previously served in Trump's administration as an official in the White House Counsel's Office. His return to the role gives the president a senior legal adviser with experience inside the administration.
The White House has described the appointment as part of its effort to strengthen its legal team, while critics are likely to scrutinise Scharf's role as the administration prepares for an increasingly contentious political period.