WASHINGTON – Donald Trump, the president-elect, has chosen one of his defense lawyers to hold a significant role in the White House, marking the fourth time one of his personal attorneys has secured a notable position in the forthcoming Republican administration.

Will Scharf, who was instrumental in defending Trump during the federal criminal case connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, will take on the role of assistant to the president and serve as the White House staff secretary.

“Will is a highly competent attorney and will play an essential role in my White House team,” Trump stated.

Scharf hails from Missouri and was part of the team defending Trump against the federal prosecution led by Special Counsel Jack Smith regarding alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and obstructing Congress on January 6, 2021. He argued that Trump should be immune from prosecution due to his status as a sitting president during the events referenced in the Justice Department’s criminal case.

In July, the Supreme Court sided with Trump, affirming that actions taken by a president in an official capacity are protected by immunity, but these protections do not extend to actions taken while campaigning.

Scharf, a former prosecutor, previously ran for Missouri attorney general but did not succeed in the GOP primary held in August.

In addition to Scharf, Trump appointed another of his personal attorneys, Todd Blanche, as deputy attorney general at the Justice Department. Blanche previously represented Trump vigorously during the New York hush money trial, leading to the first criminal conviction of a former president. He has also played a significant role in Trump’s defense regarding the 2020 election interference case and related charges over unauthorized retention of classified documents after Trump left office.

Other attorneys of Trump who have been assigned positions in the new administration include Emil Bove, appointed as principal associate deputy attorney general, and Dean Sauer, chosen as solicitor general. Additionally, Trump has nominated Doug Collins, a former GOP congressman from Georgia who defended him during the Mueller investigation, as the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.