The White House taps Will Scharf to be the new White House counsel, a move that places a former staff secretary and former head of the National Capital Planning Commission in a central legal advisory role.

Scharf has a background as a federal prosecutor and has represented Trump in multiple cases, including before the Supreme Court.

As White House counsel, he will advise on legal and policy questions, interface with the Justice Department, handle pardons and judicial nominations, review legislation, and manage responses to investigations and lawsuits.

Note: This summary draws from a syndicated feed, with no independent verification of accuracy beyond the provided text.

The announcement was reported by Reuters, with veteran journalists Bo Erickson and Christian Martinez on the scene.

Reuters’ reporting on Scharf’s ascent includes editorial context from editors Sergio Non and Chris Reese.

Editorial notes accompanying the report emphasize Reuters’ standards in coverage of the White House personnel move.

The White House characterized the development as a developing story, signaling ongoing coverage and updates.

The shift adds to a pattern of staff departures in the Trump administration, highlighting ongoing turnover at the top levels.

This leadership change comes as the midterm elections approach, a time when Democrats have signaled investigations into Trump and his administration if they gain control.

Republicans aim to maintain control of Congress while Democrats press for investigations in the event of a shift in power.

The move occurs amid heightened scrutiny before the midterms, with potential legal and administrative implications for the White House.