Trump's new press secretary defends 'lawyer' title
New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia is facing scrutiny over her legal credentials after claiming to be a lawyer despite never passing the bar exam. She has defended her title by citing her role as general counsel for a nonprofit.
Why it matters
The controversy raises questions about the vetting process for high-level political appointments and the accuracy of public claims made by government officials.
Trump's new press secretary defends 'lawyer' title left New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia holds her first press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., October 13, 2026. Reuters Reuters https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/4berxz/article71590931.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-10-15T002457Z_1537312494_RC2E2OA0P5EQ_RTRMADP_3_USA-TRUMP-ZACHARIA.JPG KEVIN LAMARQUE FILE PHOTO: New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia holds her first press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, US, October 13, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ms. Zacharia has described herself as a lawyer during television appearances and on social media, and listed herself as general counsel of a California-based conservative nonprofit Washington New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia, under scrutiny over her legal credentials, seemed to acknowledge Thursday (October 15, 2026) that she had failed the bar exam, but argued she was accurate in presenting herself as a lawyer. Appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ms.
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