In brief
President Donald Trump appointed Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary, describing her as an attorney. However, critics point out that she never passed a U.S. bar exam and has no state license to practice law. Zacharia, who holds a law degree from Pepperdine University, says her work in Beijing and at the International Finance Corporation qualified her as a lawyer, but regulators dispute that claim. A watchdog group has filed a complaint with the California State Bar, seeking an investigation into her use of the title “lawyer.” White House officials maintain that Zacharia is “uniquely qualified” to keep the public informed.
President Trump’s pick for White House press secretary has drawn criticism about her legal qualifications.
President Trump announced Katie Zacharia as the new press secretary and described her as an attorney. Zacharia has repeatedly referred to herself as a lawyer, but her background shows she never passed a U.S. bar exam or holds a state license to practice.
When asked which state she passed the bar exam in, Zacharia mistakenly replied “when I moved to China.” The remark was later clarified as a misunderstanding; she clarified that the question had asked where she was after law school. Despite having taken the difficult California bar exam, she did not pass, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.
The California State Bar Association is now reviewing a complaint filed by the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability, which seeks an investigation into whether Zacharia repeatedly portrayed herself as licensed to practice law without a license, a potentially criminal act under California law.
Zacharia earned her J.D. from Pepperdine University in 2011. After law school, she worked as an associate with Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing between 2011 and 2013 and later served as outside counsel for the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank. In the United States she has been listed on LinkedIn as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative non‑profit linked to former Trump adviser Ric Grenell.
According to the White House, Zacharia’s experience in international transaction law and her strategic communication background make her uniquely qualified to inform the American public during her brief briefing at the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
WhiteHouse communications director Steven Cheung defended Zacharia’s appointment, affirming that she is “whip‑smart” and can effectively perform the role of press secretary. The administration has reiterated its confidence in Zacharia’s abilities while the bar‑exam controversy remains unresolved.
