Trump’s WH Press Secretary Katie Zacharia reportedly didn’t pass the bar exam
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President Trump’s new White House press secretary did not pass the bar exam, according to a report.
Katie Zacharia, who addressed reporters for the first time in her new role earlier this week, has long touted her experience as a “lawyer.” According to Popular Information journalist Judd Legum, she has been identified as such during 18 appearances on Fox News since March 2025.
The publication also reported that it found no record that Zacharia has been admitted to practice law upon searching attorney licensing records in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Sources told The Wall Street Journal that Zacharia sat the California bar exam after graduating from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law back in 2011. However, they claim that she did not pass.
The sources added that she sat the bar exam while preparing to move to China with her future husband and while she was planning a wedding.
While speaking to journalists early this week, Zacharia was asked where she had passed the Bar exam – the final licensing test required to practice law in the U.S.
“When I moved to China,” she responded, although she added no further information.
Zacharia later elaborated in a statement to the press reviewed by Reuters, in which she declared: “I practised international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials.”
Sources told The Wall Street Journal that Zacharia moved to Beijing the same summer that she sat her bar exam, working at Zhong Lun Law Firm as an associate with the international practice team.
The now-White House press secretary was told that she could provide legal analysis due to her experience in international transactions and her law degree from Pepperdine University.
However, China has stringent rules on who can practice law in the country. Non-citizens are banned from becoming lawyers and cannot sit for the bar exam.
Foreign lawyers who have practiced for at least two years in their home country can practise as a Foreign Representative Attorney.
Criticism of Zacharia has continued to mount, with the Campaign for Accountability filing a complaint with the State Bar of California on Wednesday.
In the complaint, the organization stated that she has “repeatedly held herself out to the public as entitled to practice law without a license to do so, conduct California law treats as a crime.”
Trump, who appointed Zacharia, heaped praise onto her last week, declaring on Truth Social that she was an “attorney” and a “distinguished Graduate” of Pepperdine University. He also noted that she had served as senior communications adviser at Truth Social.
“She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning,” he said. “She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA!”
The White House has also rallied to Zacharia’s defense, with White House Communications Director Steven Cheung telling The Wall Street Journal: “Katie is a fabulous and wonderful addition to the team.”
“She is uniquely qualified and whip smart to help inform the American people about all the great things President Trump and his Administration have been doing, and she will do an incredible job as Press Secretary,” Cheung continued.
The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
