In brief
Former political strategist Katie Zacharia has been marked as a lawyer by the White House, yet she has not passed a state bar exam in the United States. President Donald Trump described her as an attorney in her appointment announcement, but she has not registered with a bar that would qualify her to practice law. Campaign for Accountability has filed a complaint with the California Bar to investigate whether she misrepresented herself, and the state bar has begun a review. The White House maintains she is “uniquely qualified” to inform the American people, citing her experience in international transaction law.
White House defends new press secretary amid questions about her legal credentials
President Donald Trump announced former political strategist Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary last week, describing her as an attorney.
Zacharia, 42, has repeatedly identified herself as a lawyer, yet she has never passed a state bar exam and is not registered to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction.
During a briefing at the White House, when asked by a reporter in which state she had been admitted to the bar, Zacharia replied, “When I moved to China.” The comment drew immediate criticism from legal watchdogs and raised questions about the president’s choice.
White House communications director Steven Cheung defended her candidacy, saying she is “uniquely qualified and whip‑smart” to inform the American people. In a statement this week, Zacharia added that she had “practised international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials.”
The Campaign for Accountability filed a formal complaint with the California State Bar Association on Wednesday, asking the regulator to investigate whether Zacharia repeatedly represented herself as a licensed lawyer when she was not.
Zacharia earned her J.D. from Pepperdine University in 2011. She took the California bar exam after graduation but failed, according to the Wall Street Journal. Though Pepperdine’s president reportedly advised her that she could call herself a lawyer (but not an attorney), her record shows no licensure from any state.
Prior to joining the White House, Zacharia worked in China for the American private‑equity firm where her future husband was posted. Her LinkedIn profile lists a stint as an associate at the Beijing‑based Zhong Lun Law Firm (2011‑2013) and later work as outside counsel for the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank. In China, foreign employees may advise on international transactions but cannot hold a license to practice law.
She also served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative non‑profit founded by Trump ally Ric Grenell, further tying her to the administration’s political base.
Official statements from the World Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation remain pending. Meanwhile, the California Bar’s investigation is expected to clarify whether Zacharia’s self‑designation as an attorney was a misrepresentation or merely a misunderstanding of terminology.
