Katie Zacharia's attorney credentials called to question after she claims she passed the bar in China

 

A Rocky Start at the Podium

Taking over as press secretary means walking into one of the most closely watched jobs in Washington, and Zacharia’s first appearance in the briefing room was no exception. By most accounts she handled the pressure well and didn’t let nerves show. But a new face at the podium also means new scrutiny, and her résumé quickly became the story.

What the Report Says

Prominent Information reported that it could find no sign Zacharia had ever passed a bar exam or been licensed as a lawyer. It checked the State Bar of California, where she lives, and found no listing. It also found nothing in Texas or Washington, D.C., both places where she has worked.

Her professional profile on LinkedIn tells a different story. It says she earned a law degree from Pepperdine Caruso Law in 2011. It also lists her as “General Counsel” for Fix California, a nonprofit based in the state. A law degree alone doesn’t make someone a licensed attorney, though, which is why the lack of any bar record has drawn so much attention.

The Moment Reporters Asked Directly

The question came on Tuesday, when Zacharia appeared outside the White House alongside President Trump. A reporter asked where she had passed the bar and in which state. The exchange put her in the spotlight, with the president looking on.

Her answer was that she took the bar after relocating to China. According to her LinkedIn page, she lived there from 2011 to 2013, working as a law associate and as a communications manager for an international children’s rights organization. Nothing on the profile points to a U.S. bar exam taken during those years, and no certification is mentioned. Foreign nationals are also barred from practicing law in China, so working there wouldn’t have been a route to practicing as a lawyer.

Silence Beyond the Brief Response

Aside from that short reply, Zacharia hasn’t offered any public evidence to support her claim that she’s an attorney. No documents or licensing details have been released so far.

The White House Responds

The White House press office did respond when the Irish Star asked for comment. An official there said Zacharia moved to China with her husband after graduating, because of his job at an American private equity firm, and that she worked on international transaction law while there.

The office also passed along a statement from Communications Director Steven Cheung. He called her a “fabulous and wonderful addition” to the team, described her as “uniquely qualified” and “whip smart,” and said she would do an incredible job helping the public understand the administration’s work.

Zacharia herself was quoted as saying she is grateful to serve the president and plans to work diligently to promote his agenda.

What Comes Next

For now, the question of her legal credentials remains open. The White House has defended her qualifications in general terms but hasn’t pointed to a specific bar admission. Whether Zacharia or her team provides more detail may shape how long this story follows her through her first weeks on the job.