Trump Appoints Adkisson to Federal Court Amid White House Exits

President Donald Trump appointed White House associate counsel Samuel D. Adkisson to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Adkisson previously helped defend the administration in a Supreme Court case that upheld the president's authority to fire Federal Trade Commission commissioners.

This appointment occurs during a period of significant turnover within the administration ahead of the midterm elections. Departing officials include White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker, and Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson. Senior policy strategist Emily Underwood is also leaving to join the venture capital firm Trust Ventures as a partner.

To address these vacancies, Trump appointed staff secretary Will Scharf as White House Counsel, replacing David Warrington. Additionally, Caleb Orr will assume the role previously held by Underwood.