Washington’s newest White House press secretary has found herself facing questions about her legal credentials just days after stepping into one of the most closely watched jobs in US politics. Katie Zacharia, who replaced Karoline Leavitt after Donald Trump announced her appointment on October 9, drew attention during her first press briefing when an exchange about her bar exam raised questions about whether she holds a licence to practise law in the United States.
Zacharia earned a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law in 2011 and has described her work in China as international transactional law.
However, media investigations have reportedly failed to establish that she has been admitted to practise law in any US state. The issue has put her professional background under scrutiny as she begins representing Trump’s administration ahead of the midterm elections.
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Who is Katie Zacharia?
Katie Zacharia is a conservative political commentator, communications adviser and the newly appointed White House press secretary under US President Donald Trump. She replaced Karoline Leavitt after Trump announced her appointment on October 9, 2026.
Before joining the White House, Zacharia worked as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social, and served briefly as a deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
She has also worked at Chinese law firm Zhong Lun, served as general counsel for conservative advocacy group Fix California, and appeared on Fox News and Newsmax as a commentator. A graduate of Pepperdine University and its Caruso School of Law, Zacharia has been involved in Republican politics for years, including during her college days.
Her appointment has attracted attention not only because of her close ties to Trump but also because questions have emerged about whether she holds a licence to practise law in the United States.
Is Katie Zacharia a Lawyer? Why Are Questions Being Raised?
The central question surrounding Zacharia is whether she holds a US state bar licence, rather than whether she studied law. A law degree does not automatically qualify a graduate to practise as an attorney in the United States; admission requirements vary by state.
An investigation by Judd Legum’s Popular Information reportedly found no record of Zacharia’s bar admission in California, including under her maiden name. Other reports have also questioned whether she has been admitted to practise in a US jurisdiction.
The findings do not, by themselves, prove that Zacharia misrepresented her qualifications or practised law unlawfully. However, they have prompted questions because organisations and professional profiles have described her as an attorney or highlighted her legal expertise.
During her first briefing, Trump asked her, “Which state?” Zacharia responded, “When I moved to China.” The exchange did not establish where, or whether, she passed a US bar examination.
What is Katie Zacharia’s Educational Background?
Zacharia attended Pepperdine University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government in June 2007. She later studied at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law from 2008 to 2011, graduating with a JD degree.
Pepperdine confirmed her qualifications after Trump announced her appointment on October 9. The university also noted her involvement with the Caruso School of Law’s Dean’s Council.
Her academic record confirms that she completed legal education, but it does not settle the question of whether she passed a bar examination or received a licence to practise law.
What Did Katie Zacharia Say About Her Legal Credentials?
After the questions emerged, Zacharia defended her experience in international law. Speaking to Politico journalist Dasha Burns, she said she practised international transactional law “with all the appropriate credentials.”
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