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Trump administration reshuffles White House staff ahead of midterms

President Trump announces a wave of West Wing personnel changes, including press secretary Karoline Leavitt's departure and Will Scharf's elevation to White House counsel, as the administration gears up for the midterms.

2 stories339 sourcesUpdated Aug 12, 2026

In this storyline:Donald J. Trump Karoline Leavitt 2026 United States elections Will Scharf The White House

Trump administration reshuffles White House staff ahead of midterms — Photo: White House Office of the Press Secretary / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

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Aug 12, 2026
Karoline Leavitt will depart as White House press secretary at the end of August to become a top outside advisor and GOP voice for President Trump.
317 sources on this →
Aug 11, 2026
Trump names Will Scharf as White House counsel, replacing David Warrington effective September 1, while Scharf retains his role as staff secretary.
22 sources on this →

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Photo: White House Office of the Press Secretary / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Leavitt to Depart White House Press Secretary

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will depart at the end of August to spend more time with her family, with President Trump saying she will become one of his top outside advisors and an influential voice within the Republican Party as they pursue midterm wins. The announcements note she served as the White House press secretary during Trump’s second term and returned from maternity leave before deciding to step down.

317 sources

Photo: The White House / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Trump Names Will Scharf White House Counsel

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President Trump announced that Will Scharf will become White House counsel, replacing David Warrington on September 1, and will also serve as assistant to the president. Scharf, already the White House staff secretary and former chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, comes praised by Trump and is slated to handle legal and policy issues for the administration ahead of the midterms.

22 sources