White House counsel Will Scharf warns House Democrats over planned probes
The gist
White House counsel Will Scharf warned incoming House Oversight chair Robert Garcia that Democrats' planned probes could cross into "blatant criminality."
The letter signals a legal fight over Congress's power to investigate the White House.
How it unfolded
- Nov 26, 2024President-elect Donald Trump names Will Scharf White House staff secretary, overseeing clearance and circulation of presidential documents.
- Aug 9, 2026Trump announces on Truth Social that Scharf will be his new White House counsel, replacing David Warrington.
- Sep 1, 2026Scharf assumes the White House counsel role and the title of assistant to the president.
Key terms
- White House counsel
- A senior presidential appointee who advises the president and administration on legal issues and oversees the Office of White House Counsel.
- House Oversight
- The main investigative committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, with broad jurisdiction and subpoena power.
- subpoenas
- The legal authority to issue a writ compelling a witness to testify or produce evidence under penalty of punishment.
Source: Wikipedia