President Trump has offered the position of White House press secretary to Katie Zacharia, a conservative lawyer and commentator with ties to the administration, according to multiple reports. The move signals a continued emphasis on media-savvy advocates in key communications roles.
Zacharia previously served as spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where she worked under Secretary Kristi Noem. Her tenure there was marked by a forceful defense of the administration's immigration policies, particularly around ICE enforcement actions.
In a February social media post announcing her resignation, former DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin described Zacharia as “a dynamic and effective voice in media.” Zacharia has also been a commentator for Newsmax and a frequent guest on Fox News, building a profile as a staunch supporter of the president.
Upon her DHS appointment, Zacharia said she was “honored and proud to serve” President Trump and Secretary Noem, adding, “I will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again!”
Zacharia's background includes a bachelor's degree and law degree from Pepperdine University. As an undergraduate, she interned for the Republican National Committee and in the White House Office of Political Affairs during George W. Bush's second term. During law school, she worked at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and clerked for the director of Advocates International, a Christian legal network.
After law school, she worked at a firm in Beijing and for an organization supporting children of migrant workers. More recently, she served on the Dean's Council Board at Pepperdine Law and as its director of development.
Zacharia also worked as a legal advisor to Fix California, a conservative advocacy group founded by Richard Grenell, a Trump ally who now serves as interim president of the Kennedy Center.
In a mid-February New York Post op-ed, she called Trump “the greatest president in U.S. history” and criticized liberal activists for “obstructing” ICE's work. That commentary came amid scrutiny over the fatal shootings of two individuals by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, which sparked protests and backlash against the administration.
If confirmed in the role, Zacharia would take over a press operation that has faced ongoing battles over media access, including a court fight over press access and the White House press ban. Her appointment could signal a more aggressive approach to communications as the administration navigates key battleground politics and potential international flashpoints.
