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President-elect Donald Trump has appointed William Owen Scharf, one of his personal attorneys, as his White House staff secretary.
“Will is a highly skilled attorney who will be a crucial part of my White House team,” Trump said in a statement on November 16 posted on his Truth Social platform.
The White House staff secretary is a senior role appointed directly by the president, requiring no Senate confirmation. While low-profile, the position is critical to White House operations, including overseeing the circulation of documents among staff.
During Trump’s first term, Rob Porter and Derek Lyons held the staff secretary position. Trump credited Scharf for his representation in election disputes and “lawfare waged against me,” particularly citing a case earlier this year where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for official acts. The case was brought by special counsel Jack Smith, who prosecuted Trump over his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results and his handling of classified documents.
“Will is going to make us proud as we Make America Great Again,” Trump added.
Before representing Trump, Scharf served as a federal prosecutor and clerked for two federal appeals court judges. Trump also noted Scharf’s involvement in selecting judges and Supreme Court justices during his first term.
Scharf ran for Missouri attorney general earlier this year but lost in the Republican primary to Andrew Bailey. He ran as “Trump’s attorney” in the election.
Scharf joins a growing list of Trump’s personal attorneys taking positions in the incoming administration. Trump has already named Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, and John Sauer for key roles. Blanche has been selected as deputy attorney general, Bove as principal associate deputy attorney general and acting deputy attorney general until Blanche’s confirmation, and Sauer as solicitor general.
