Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia faces scrutiny over claims she’s a lawyer

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is facing scrutiny over her background and resume as she takes on her new role as the public face of the Trump administration. Zacharia has consistently described herself as a lawyer, working for conservative outlets like Fox News and Newsmax. However, there are no records of her passing the bar exam in any state or China, where she once worked for a large law firm.

This has led to questions about her qualifications, adding to the confusion surrounding her hiring by President Donald Trump. After her debut at the podium, Trump was asked by reporters about her bar exam credentials, following a report by Popular Information that she was not licensed in any state. Zacharia explained that she had passed the bar exam in China, but the validity of this information remains uncertain.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University and a law degree from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, both of which are mentioned on her LinkedIn profile. She has worked as a senior communications adviser at the Trump Media & Technology Group and as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.

Zacharia has also served in various roles related to non-profit work and international legal transactions. The State Bar of California, however, has no record of her being licensed to practice law in the state. This has prompted a complaint to be filed with the bar, asking them to investigate whether Zacharia misrepresented her credentials.