White House press secretary Katie Zacharia did not pass bar exam, can she call herself a lawyer? Controversy explained
New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed on Thursday she did not pass the bar exam. She has referred to herself as a lawyer.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia admitted on Thursday that she did not pass the bar exam, raising questions about whether she can legally call herself a lawyer. Zacharia, who joined the administration last week, previously claimed she had practiced law before entering politics. President Donald Trump had referred to her as an attorney on social media.
Zacharia was asked about the bar exam results during an interview on Fox News Thursday night. She confirmed she did not pass and stated that the results were "somewhat inconsequential" as she planned to move to China for a job in international transaction law. The White House communications director defended Zacharia, stating she is "uniquely qualified and whip smart" to assist the American people.
Zacharia claimed she never retook the bar exam after 2011, when she reportedly failed, and said she consulted attorneys before using the title "lawyer." She argued that her television appearances focused on general legal analysis rather than providing legal advice, and she had the necessary qualifications due to her law degree and international legal experience.
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