WASHINGTON — In the first week of his return to the presidency, Donald Trump has been signing a plethora of executive orders with a flourish, using a bold Sharpie pen. However, these leather-bound folders don’t just appear on their own; they are prepared by White House staff secretary Will Scharf, who plays an essential role in this process. Standing close to Trump during these moments, Scharf introduces each folder and provides detailed narration as the president signs, often leaning into the microphone when prompted.
On Thursday, Scharf accompanied Trump at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office while the president executed more orders and memoranda. Right from Trump’s first days back in office, Scharf has been consistently present during significant events, including at the Capitol and at rallies, facilitating the president’s signing of numerous directives that align with his political aims.
Beyond merely facilitating these signing ceremonies, Scharf holds an influential position within the White House as he manages the information flow to and from the president’s desk. The role of the staff secretary is pivotal, akin to air traffic control for the West Wing. This position ensures that all memos and statements are tracked as they await presidential review, while also acting as a neutral figure during policy discussions.
Scharf has an exceptional view of the workings in the West Wing, leading one of the least recognized yet impactful teams in a functioning White House.
As for Will Scharf’s background, he was part of Trump’s legal team before assuming his current role. His career includes notable positions such as serving as a policy director for former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens and working alongside the campaign of Catherine Hanaway during the 2016 Republican gubernatorial elections. Educated at prestigious institutions like Princeton and Harvard Law School, Scharf began his legal journey in Missouri in 2011, where he clerked for Judge Raymond Gruender on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and served as an assistant U.S. attorney.
Trump designated Scharf as his staff secretary in November. The president recognized Scharf’s legal experience in defending against various criminal matters as components of Trump’s initial presidency, facilitating the confirmation of judges, including Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
Scharf also played a significant role in supporting Trump during legal challenges, including the high-profile election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. This case made its way to the Supreme Court, which upheld the principle that presidents have considerable immunity from criminal charges concerning official duties.
Several of Trump’s legal representatives, including Scharf, have been honored with positions in his administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Scharf’s legal acumen and ability to navigate the complexities of the president’s agenda, stating, “Will Scharf is a brilliant legal mind who has extensive experience defending President Trump from the witch-hunts against him. Will is perfectly suited to help execute President Trump’s agenda in this important role.”
This is not Scharf’s first experience in the public eye. He has made appearances on cable news and authored opinion pieces on Trump’s legal challenges. Additionally, in 2023, he co-founded a group called Jews Against Soros with Newsweek senior editor Josh Hammer, which initiated a discussion regarding criticisms of George Soros, arguing that such criticisms are not inherently antisemitic.
Scharf also sought public office in 2024 when he ran for Missouri attorney general, but he was defeated by incumbent Andrew Bailey. His campaign featured a notably dramatic advertisement showcasing him using a grenade launcher aimed at a pile of boxes designed to appear as if they contained documents related to Trump’s legal issues.
