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The Wire
Judge blocks Trump from closing East Potomac Park golf course for now Trump asks Supreme Court to curb judges' power to void unlawful rules nationwide On tape: Richard Blumenthal says the Trump administration let $190 million in anti-human trafficking grants lapse On tape: Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican, on the House floor: the president never asked Congress before sending troops… Massie to force new House vote to end Trump's Iran war before he leaves in January Over 200 Democrats ask appeals court to strike down VA's abortion ban for veterans Kushner says U.S. is brokering Europe-Russia talks and planning next Ukraine round Blumenthal says Lutnick 'must go' over stalled Nvidia chip blacklist for Megaspeed NBC says Democrat Mary Peltola likely to beat Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska On tape: Hakeem Jeffries: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could face Intel Committee subpoenas over Nvidia scandal Judge blocks Trump from closing East Potomac Park golf course for now Trump asks Supreme Court to curb judges' power to void unlawful rules nationwide On tape: Richard Blumenthal says the Trump administration let $190 million in anti-human trafficking grants lapse On tape: Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican, on the House floor: the president never asked Congress before sending troops… Massie to force new House vote to end Trump's Iran war before he leaves in January Over 200 Democrats ask appeals court to strike down VA's abortion ban for veterans Kushner says U.S. is brokering Europe-Russia talks and planning next Ukraine round Blumenthal says Lutnick 'must go' over stalled Nvidia chip blacklist for Megaspeed NBC says Democrat Mary Peltola likely to beat Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska On tape: Hakeem Jeffries: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could face Intel Committee subpoenas over Nvidia scandal
David Warrington
Photo: The White House, Public domain

The Administration · Out the door

David Warrington

Former White House Counsel Out the door

A Marine veteran and campaign lawyer who served as White House counsel for the first 19 months of Trump's second term, then left for private practice two months before the midterms.

Why they left: Trump announced in August 2026 that Warrington was leaving the administration to join the private sector; no further reason was given. 1 2

Biography

David Warrington was raised in Milton, Delaware, and enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school in 1985, serving until 1991 and guarding American embassies in Chad and Israel. 4 He later earned degrees from Georgetown and from George Mason University's law school. 4 He was active in Virginia Republican and gun-rights circles and ran unsuccessfully for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2001. 4

As a lawyer he was general counsel to Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign and worked on the 2016 Republican convention for the Trump campaign. 4 He joined the Dhillon Law Group, represented Trump personally in dealings with the House January 6 committee, and by 2024 was general counsel of the Trump campaign. 4 Trump chose him as White House counsel in December 2024 in place of an earlier pick. 4

In office he was involved in the legal groundwork for the administration's early executive orders. 4 ABC News reported in May 2025 that he and Attorney General Pam Bondi concluded the government could legally accept a luxury jet from Qatar. 3 Trump said on August 9, 2026 that Warrington would leave for the private sector and that Will Scharf would take over on September 1. 1 2

In the job

What happened while David held the post.

  1. Trump named him White House counsel, replacing his earlier choice, Bill McGinley, before the term began. 4

  2. ABC News reported that Warrington asked Attorney General Bondi for advice on a jet offered by Qatar and that both concluded the gift could lawfully be accepted and later transferred to Trump's presidential library. 3

  3. Trump ordered an inquiry, led by Warrington with the attorney general, into whether aides to former President Biden hid a decline in his health. 4

  4. Trump announced his departure for the private sector. 1

  5. Will Scharf replaced him. 1 5

Disputes, and their side

What critics, courts or investigators have said, and the answer given. An allegation is not a finding.

  1. ABC News, citing unnamed sources, reported that Warrington and Attorney General Bondi signed off on the legality of accepting a luxury jet from Qatar for the president's use, to be transferred to his presidential library before his term ends. 3

    Their side: No public response from Warrington found; the reported legal analysis concluded the transfer was lawful. 3

Career

  1. U.S. Marine Corps, including embassy guard duty in Chad and Israel
  2. Republican primary candidate for Virginia House of Delegates (lost)
  3. General counsel, Ron Paul presidential campaign
  4. Lawyer for the Trump campaign at the Republican National Convention
  5. Private practice at Kutak Rock and then Dhillon Law Group
  6. General counsel, Trump 2024 campaign
  7. White House Counsel

Our reporting

We have not yet published a story that names David Warrington. When we do, it will appear here.

Sources for this file

  1. AP (via PBS NewsHour), Trump announces staff secretary Will Scharf, who helped secure ballroom approval, will be his new White House counsel, Aug. 10, 2026
  2. Al Jazeera, Trump names Will Scharf as White House counsel ahead of midterms, Aug. 10, 2026
  3. ABC News, Trump administration poised to accept 'palace in the sky' as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources, May 11, 2025
  4. Wikipedia, David Warrington, Nov. 13, 2026
  5. Wikipedia, White House Counsel, Nov. 13, 2026

File checked Nov. 13, 2026. Something wrong or out of date? Tell the desk.