The White House has defended its newly appointed press secretary, Katie Zacharia, amid growing questions about her legal qualifications and claims that she has practised law. US President Donald Trump described Zacharia as an attorney when announcing her appointment, but recent media investigations have raised doubts about whether she holds a licence to practise law in the United States.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended Zacharia, describing her as “uniquely qualified and whip smart to help inform the American people.” However, the administration has not publicly provided clear details confirming where she is licensed to practise law.
Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in California in 2011. According to her professional profile, she subsequently worked at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing from 2011 to 2013 and later served as general counsel for Fix California, an advocacy organisation associated with Trump ally Ric Grenell, from 2024 to 2025.
The controversy intensified during a media interaction on Tuesday, when a reporter asked Zacharia which state she had passed the bar examination in. She responded, “When I moved to China,” referring to her time working in Beijing. Her answer prompted further questions because a law degree alone does not authorise someone to practise law in the United States.
Reuters reported that it could not find records showing Zacharia was admitted to practise law in any US state or the District of Columbia. The California State Bar has also reportedly found no record of her being licensed in the state. Zacharia, however, has maintained that she practised international transactional law with “all the appropriate credentials.”
The issue gained further attention on Wednesday after the watchdog organisation Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint with the California State Bar, requesting an investigation into whether Zacharia had misrepresented her legal qualifications. The complaint raises questions about the rules governing claims of professional legal status, although the allegations have not been adjudicated.
Zacharia recently began her tenure as White House press secretary, replacing Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August. Her appointment comes ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, a crucial period for the Trump administration’s public communications.
The White House’s defence of Zacharia has kept attention focused on her professional background. The matter now centres on clarifying her legal credentials and determining whether any professional rules were violated.
