The short version
The lawyer companies call when Washington shows up.
David Scharf chairs Morrison Cohen’s executive committee and built its Government Strategies & Controversies practice. He is a former Trump attorney with more than two decades of history with the president, and he advises companies on deals, investigations and regulatory exposure that turn on who holds power in Washington.
He has tried high-stakes commercial cases for three decades — $1 billion real estate disputes, securities and antitrust fights, restructurings. He is already on the record in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, on ABC News and in Politico, and a practiced live guest on Fox News and Fox 5 DC.
He does not read talking points, and he does not flinch when a host pushes back. Reporters get a real answer on the first call.
In the room
02 · The Lanes
What he can speak to.
Trump, Washington and political risk
Two decades of direct history with the president and, in his words, a front-row seat to the planning behind this administration. Tariffs, the DC crime crackdown, government-as-shareholder deals, DOJ enforcement, and how companies prepare for policy that swings with each administration.
High-profile criminal trials
Live trial-law analysis on evidence, procedure and courtroom strategy — Mangione, Murdaugh, and the Tyler Robinson prosecution. A working trial lawyer explaining what a ruling actually does, not a talking head.
Israel, antisemitism and Jewish political life
A Jewish Republican with access on the right and a willingness to break with his own side. Quoted by ABC News and Politico on Vance, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and antisemitism inside the GOP coalition.
Real estate distress and eminent domain
Lead counsel in the multi-year Washington Union Station fight that ended in a $505 million resolution with Amtrak. Go-to voice on UCC foreclosures, mezzanine debt, and what distress is doing to commercial portfolios.
New York politics and the business of law
On Mamdani, Hochul and the city’s Jewish community — and on running a mid-size New York firm against the Am Law 50.
03 · Broadcast
On air, live.
Climate Change Case Presented in Supreme Court
Scharf analyzes the Supreme Court’s consideration of a climate change lawsuit and the potential implications of similar cases for the energy industry.
Will Trump’s plan win in Iran?
Scharf debates Batya Ungar-Sargon on the administration’s Iran strategy.
Trial lawyer analyzes evidence challenges in Mangione, Murdaugh cases
On how an evidentiary ruling in the Mangione case and South Carolina’s overturning of the Murdaugh conviction could reshape both proceedings.
Tyler Robinson seeks to ban cameras in courtroom
Analysis of the motion by the accused Charlie Kirk assassin to prohibit camera coverage of the proceedings.
Trump isn’t the president of ‘status quo,’ says David Scharf
On the administration’s crime crackdown in Washington, DC.
Trump calls for ‘Golden Dome’ defense system
On the $175 billion missile-defense proposal and the administration’s early record.
White House signal flap ‘a distraction’ from Trump record, some Republicans say
In studio on the leaked Pentagon Signal chat and what it did and didn’t change.
Democrat raises eyebrows after claiming DEI is the ‘foundation of the Christian church’
Live in studio from the DNC summer meeting.
04 · The Clip File
Where he’s already run.
Trump, Washington & national politics
Yahoo News20 OCT 2026 Bill Ackman sounds off on ‘crazy, radicalized’ Democratic Party, argues it’s in ‘worst place it’s ever been’ Scharf on Chuck Schumer’s response to divisions within his party:The question isn’t whether he sees it. It’s whether he’s willing to do anything about it.14 OCT 2026 Kamala Harris calls for packing Supreme Court, ‘changing’ Electoral College if Dems take back congress Scharf on Harris’s proposed institutional changes:
Kamala Harris says she wants to defend democracy, but her solution is to rewrite its rules when Democrats don’t like the results.09 OCT 2026 Bill Maher warns Democrats still haven’t ‘renounced their crazy,’ says it could spell trouble in 2028 Scharf on the Democrats’ electoral strategy:
What was once the far-left fringe of the Democratic Party is increasingly becoming its mainstream.The Washington Times09 OCT 2026 Jon Stewart tells Democrats to ‘govern,’ not stage ‘performative’ impeachment, if they win Congress Scharf on what voters are asking for:
Jon Stewart is saying what Democrats don’t want to hear: voters want results, not revenge.Barron’s18 SEP 2026 Can Trump’s deals survive the next Congress? His Barron’s commentary on what happens to this administration’s deals if the gavel changes hands — and why the documents companies sign now are what will hold or fail later. 17 SEP 2026 Far-left streamer Hasan Piker called out by MS NOW hosts over being a drag on Democrats Scharf on the midterm calculus:
Every candidate on the record defending him, appearing with him, or refusing to distance themselves from him helps turn him into a campaign issue.And on where it bites:
In safe blue districts, that may not matter. In a race as close as Michigan’s Senate contest, it can.17 SEP 2026 Lefty streamer Hasan Piker slammed by MS NOW hosts as a drag on the Democratic Party The Post’s version of the same story, the same day — Scharf quoted on what the fight costs Democrats heading into the midterms. 01 SEP 2026 JD Vance set to address Jewish conservatives, as some Jews in GOP share concerns about his recent Israel remarks Scharf, a major Republican donor, told ABC News he had recently spoken with Vance
about shared themes in Judaism and Catholicism, and pushed back on the idea that Vance and Jewish Republicans are split on Israel. New York
Law Journal02 FEB 2026 Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul, and the NYC Jewish Community Commentary on what the new City Hall means for New York’s Jewish community and the state’s response. 02 NOV 2025 GOP leaders denounce antisemitism but say real problem is on the left Quoted in Politico’s coverage of how Republican leaders are confronting antisemitism inside their own coalition. 29 MAY 2025 It’s A Good Time To Be A MAGA Lawyer On the surge in demand for his practice:
We have that ability with the current administration with long-standing, deep ties that start at the top and work their way through various members of the cabinet.12 MAY 2025 Trump’s tariffs not reactionary, says longtime adviser Profiled as a longtime Trump adviser:
I had a front row seat to three years and ten months of intense preparation to come back to win the election, to be able to govern quickly.
13 MAR 2025
Morrison Cohen Launches Government Strategies Practice
Also covered by the New York Law Journal, Politico and Citybiz. Scharf: As clients navigate the rapid change at all levels of government, now is the perfect time to formalize our offering in this area.25 DEC 2016 Coverage of the Trump Organization’s business as Trump prepared to take office Scharf appears in the Times’ reporting on the Trump Organization — the earliest of his national-press appearances on this beat.
Union Station & eminent domain
WashingtonBusiness Journal04 MAR 2025 Judge upholds client’s foreclosure, clearing the Amtrak settlement over Washington Union Station Scharf:
This decision is a resounding beat-down of the meritless positions that had been advanced to try to disrupt the lender’s exercise of control over its collateral.Also covered in Law360.
04 APR 2024
Lawmakers Rail Against Amtrak’s Union Station Takeover Bid
Scharf: It is unprecedented that a quasi-government entity is seeking to eminent domain its way into a contract with the federal government.11 DEC 2023 Ben Ashkenazy Secretly Records Lender in Union Station Clash Scharf called it
embarrassing and shamefulthat Ashkenazy was hiding behind the advice of counsel to record his lender without their knowledge.
OCT 2022
As UCC Foreclosures Soar, Rexmark In Driving Seat at DC’s Union Station
Feature on the mezzanine foreclosure that put Scharf’s client in control of the station.
Real estate, culture & the business of law
01 SEP 2026 Grand Slam Glam: Stars Came Out for Opening Night of the US Open Quoted as an officer and board member of the USTA Foundation on its work in the neighborhoods around Flushing Meadows.
23 AUG 2025
Anna Wintour, Spike Lee among VIPs expected at US Open gala
Named in the US Open gala coverage alongside Anna Wintour and Spike Lee; Scharf is an officer of the USTA Foundation, the tournament’s charitable arm.
17 SEP 2024
Why the ‘Versailles in Manhattan’ townhouse has been on the market for 21 years
Scharf on pricing the unpriceable: All it takes is one person who really wants it to pay $18 million, and all you need are two people to have it suddenly be a $19-million or $20-million sale.15 AUG 2023 A Mogul’s 33-Story Luxury Hotel Faces Battle Over 18 Inches On an adverse-possession standoff in the Diamond District:
It’s economic opportunism against hostage taking.15 JUN 2023 Bankruptcy Expert Greg Corbin Launches New Firm as CRE Distress Rises Scharf:
Of my 18-hour days, 14 to 15 of them are consumed with real estate distress.New York
Law Journal18 JAN 2022 Regional NY Firms Have Ambitious Growth Plans, Despite Associate Challenges Scharf on the cost of retaining associates through the talent crunch:
While that was an expense, we got great return on investment.