In brief
President Trump announced Katie Zacharia as the White House press secretary and called her an attorney, prompting scrutiny of her legal credentials. Zacharia herself describes herself as a lawyer, yet fails to show evidence of an active bar license in the United States. White House communications chief Steven Cheung defended her as “uniquely qualified and whip‑smart”, while a watchdog group has filed a complaint with the California Bar seeking investigation. Zacharia, a former associate at a Beijing law firm, holds a J.D. from Pepperdine but reportedly did not pass the California bar exam, raising questions about her claims of practicing law in the U.S. The debate underscores the need for clearer standards around legal titles in the federal cabinet.
The White House is defending its new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, as she faces scrutiny over her legal credentials.
Donald Trump described Zacharia as an attorney when announcing her appointment last week; she has referred to herself as a lawyer.
When asked by a reporter to state the state in which she passed the bar exam, she answered that she moved to China after law school, which she later clarified was a misunderstanding.
Zacharia has no active bar registration in any U.S. state. White House communications director Steven Cheung called her “uniquely qualified and whip‑smart to help inform the American people.”
The Washington Post's correspondent noted that Zacharia said she practised international transaction law, claiming all appropriate credentials. The California State Bar Association is now investigating whether she repeatedly presented herself as qualified to practise law without a license.
The 42‑year‑old strategist earned her J.D. from Pepperdine University in 2011. A law degree does not grant a licence to practise in the United States. She took the California bar exam but reportedly did not pass, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Her LinkedIn profile lists time as an associate at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing from 2011 to 2013, and a statement that she served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative non‑profit led by Trump ally Ric Grenell.
She moved to Beijing for her husband’s job with an American private‑equity firm, working on international transaction law there. In February last year she claimed on a conservative radio program that she had been outside counsel for the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank during her time in China.
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