White House press secretary Katie Zacharia on Friday addressed the growing controversy over her legal credentials, saying President Trump never asked whether she had passed the bar exam when he selected her for the role. In an interview with Fox News, Zacharia deflected questions about reports that she failed the test, stating, “Those questions weren’t asked.”
Zacharia, who stepped into the role earlier this week, emphasized that her job is not to serve as a lawyer but to communicate on behalf of the president. “I’m being hired as White House press secretary, not White House counsel,” she told “Fox & Friends.” “The reason that I was hired was to represent the president in the press.”
The scrutiny began almost immediately after her appointment, with questions about her repeated claims of being a lawyer despite not being licensed to practice in any state. The Campaign for Accountability, a watchdog group, has filed a complaint with the State Bar of California, requesting an investigation into her assertions.
“Ms. Zacharia has represented herself as a lawyer repeatedly to buttress her reputation and credibility as a television legal commentator and now as the White House spokesperson, yet it seems it was all a lie,” said Michelle Kuppersmith, the group’s executive director.
During her first press briefing on Tuesday, reporters pressed her on where she passed the bar exam. Zacharia initially responded, “When I moved to China,” but later clarified she had misheard the question. “I assumed the question was, ‘Where were you after law school?’” she told The New York Times.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that Zacharia took the California bar exam after graduating from Pepperdine University but did not pass. She dismissed the significance of the results, calling them “somewhat inconsequential.” President Trump, in his announcement of her appointment on Truth Social, referred to her as “an attorney.”
Zacharia’s background includes stints as a communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group and as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. Her appointment fills the vacancy left by Karoline Leavitt, who departed earlier this year.
The controversy has drawn attention to the administration’s vetting processes and the credibility of its spokespeople. As the situation unfolds, Zacharia continues to face questions about her qualifications, though she maintains her focus is on representing the president’s message. The credibility firestorm shows no signs of abating, with critics questioning whether the administration prioritizes loyalty over competence.
Meanwhile, the president’s broader political struggles, including eroding support among key voters, continue to dominate headlines. As Zacharia settles into her role, the pressure to address these issues while managing her own controversies will likely define her tenure.
