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Archived story · published October 16, 2026. Coverage reflects reporting at the time. See today's brief

Politics · October 16, 2026

WATCH: New White House press secretary defends her record

4 sources →

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia is facing scrutiny over her legal credentials after reports emerged that she never passed a bar exam. While President Trump has referred to her as an "attorney" and her social media profiles have identified her as a "lawyer," Zacharia clarified that she failed the California bar exam in 2011 and never retook it elsewhere. Zacharia defends her record by stating she worked in "international transaction law" in China and was advised by her alma mater that she could use the term "lawyer" but not "attorney." A legal watchdog group has filed a complaint with the California State Bar Association, alleging that holding oneself out as a lawyer without a license may constitute a misdemeanor under state law.

Read the original coverage

Reported across the spectrum

  • Katie Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law in 2011.
  • Zacharia took the California bar exam but did not pass.
  • President Trump has referred to Zacharia as an attorney.
  • Zacharia previously identified herself as a lawyer on social media and cable news.
  • A watchdog group, Campaign for Accountability, filed a complaint with the California State Bar Association regarding her credentials.
  • Zacharia worked in Beijing, China, following law school.

Reported by only some outlets

  • CNN reported that Zacharia identified herself as an 'attorney' in at least 15 social media posts, contradicting her claim that she only used the term 'lawyer.'
  • Zacharia claimed she misunderstood a reporter's question about the bar exam due to the noise of Marine One.
  • Zacharia stated she worked as outside counsel for the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank while in China.
  • California Business and Professions Code Section 6126 treats practicing or advertising as entitled to practice law without a license as a misdemeanor.

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