Katie Zacharia was announced as President Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, after a brief stint as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security and a senior communications role at Trump Media and Technology Group.
According to her LinkedIn profile and a Pepperdine University press release, Zacharia earned a bachelor of arts in 2007 and a J.D. from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in 2011, and claims to have practiced international transaction law in Beijing for Zhong Lun Law Firm from 2011 to 2013.
A review of the State Bar of California’s public database and a search by Popular Information found no record of Zacharia, nor any variant of her name, being admitted to practice law in any of the 50 states or Washington, D.C., a fact that contradicts Trump’s description of her as an attorney.
Trump’s tweet announcing the hire described her as a “distinguished Graduate of Pepperdine University, and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, an attorney, and a frequent commentator on outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax.” The White House issued a statement citing her “unique qualifications” and “whip‑smart” ability to inform the public, but has not yet provided evidence of a bar license.
The controversy has sparked calls for a formal vetting review, and the White House is expected to explain its hiring procedures in a forthcoming briefing. Meanwhile, independent legal analysts are monitoring the case for potential implications on the administration’s credibility.