In brief
The White House stood by its appointment of Katie Zacharia as press secretary after journalists raised doubts about her legal qualifications. Zacharia, a 42‑year‑old political strategist who earned a law degree at Pepperdine University, has not taken or passed a state bar exam. While the president has described her as an attorney, the White House argues her experience in international transaction law and her role as general counsel for a conservative non‑profit qualify her for the position. A watchdog group has filed a complaint with the California State Bar, questioning whether she has repeatedly misrepresented her status as a licensed lawyer. The incident highlights the ongoing debate over certification and legitimacy in one of the most visible roles in the White House.
The White House is defending the appointment of Katie Zacharia as its new press secretary after questions about her legal credentials surfaced.
President Donald Trump described Zacharia as an attorney when announcing her appointment last week, and she has referred to herself as a lawyer. However, when asked by a reporter on Tuesday which state she had passed the bar exam, she responded: "When I moved to China." No evidence shows she is registered to practice law in any state where she has lived.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said Zacharia is "uniquely qualified and whip smart" to help inform the American people. In a statement, she added that she practised international transaction law with all the appropriate credentials.
The following week a watchdog group, Campaign for Accountability, filed a complaint with the California State Bar Association. The complaint seeks an investigation into whether Zacharia repeatedly presented herself as a licensed lawyer without holding a bar license, a potential crime under California law.
Zacharia, 42, graduated from Pepperdine University’s law school in California in 2011. A law degree does not confer a license to practice law in the United States. When she began appearing on cable news, she asked Pepperdine how to identify herself: the university president advised that she could call herself a lawyer, but not an attorney.
Zacharia has claimed that she took the California bar exam after graduation but did not pass, according to the Wall Street Journal. The exam is known for its difficulty. She also says her answer "China" stemmed from a misunderstanding of a question about her activities after law school.
Her LinkedIn profile lists work as an associate at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing from 2011‑13 and as outside counsel for the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank during her time in China. The BBC has reached out to the World Bank Group and the Zhong Lun Law Firm for comment. In February last year Zacharia claimed to have served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative non‑profit founded by Trump ally Ric Grenell.
The conflict between the White House’s defense and the watchdog complaint has drawn attention from journalists and legal experts alike, raising questions about the qualifications required for one of the most high‑profile staff positions in the executive branch.
