President-elect Donald Trump has appointed his personal attorney, William Owen Scharf, as the White House staff secretary. Trump praised Scharf’s legal skills and emphasized his importance to the White House team in a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Nov. 16.
The staff secretary position is a senior role directly chosen by the president, requiring no Senate confirmation. The staff secretary plays a vital but behind-the-scenes role in White House operations, including overseeing document circulation among staff members.
During Trump’s first term, Rob Porter and Derek Lyons held the staff secretary position. Trump commended Scharf for his representation in election disputes and legal battles, including a case where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts.
Trump expressed confidence that Scharf will contribute to the goal of “Making America Great Again.” Scharf, a former federal prosecutor who clerked for federal appeals court judges, assisted Trump in selecting judges and Supreme Court justices during his previous term.
Although Scharf ran for Missouri attorney general in the Republican primary this year as “Trump’s attorney,” he was defeated by Andrew Bailey. Scharf is among several of Trump’s personal attorneys joining the new administration, including Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, and John Sauer.
Blanche has been chosen as the deputy attorney general, while Bove will serve as principal associate deputy attorney general and interim deputy attorney general until Blanche’s confirmation. Sauer is set to become the solicitor general.
This article is a breaking news report and will be updated accordingly.
