No. 42: Will Scharf and Lee Zeldin: Shaping law and policy from inside the Trump administration

Will Scharf became White House counsel on September 1, 2026, making him President Donald Trump's top lawyer amid legal battles and potential congressional investigations. Scharf, who previously served as White House staff secretary and on Trump's personal legal team, was involved in major cases, including the presidential immunity dispute. A Modern Orthodox Jew, he has been a visible figure in the administration. Lee Zeldin, appointed EPA Administrator in February 2026, repealed the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a move described as the largest deregulatory action in US history. Zeldin, a former New York congressman and Army veteran, is the first Jewish administrator in EPA history and has publicly maintained his Jewish identity, including affixing a mezuzah to his office door. He was also a strong supporter of Israel during his time in Congress.