Trump Appoints Orthodox Jew Will Scharf as Personal Assistant and White House Advisor

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday night the appointment of Will Scharf, an Orthodox Jew who strictly observes Jewish law, as his personal assistant and White House advisor. Scharf will assume the role on September 1, replacing David Warrington, who is leaving for the private sector. Trump praised Scharf's previous work as White House Chief of Staff and chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, highlighting his legal expertise and loyalty.

Trump described Scharf as a "tough, strong, and smart" individual who has represented him in numerous legal battles, including cases before the Supreme Court during what Trump called the "corrupt and illegal" Biden administration's legal challenges. Scharf's background includes serving as a federal prosecutor, working as a private practice attorney, clerking for two federal appellate judges, and graduating with honors from Princeton University and Harvard Law School.

Raised in a Modern Orthodox Jewish home in New York and North Florida, Scharf maintains a rigorous religious lifestyle, including daily tefillin, strict kosher observance, and regular synagogue attendance on Shabbat. His deep connection to Judaism was evident during his academic years, where he led the Chabad student organization at Princeton and remained active in Jewish life. In 2023, he co-founded Jews Against Soros. Scharf began his career as a federal prosecutor and judicial clerk before joining Trump's legal defense team and leading Supreme Court litigation on his behalf.