Katie Zacharia’s past in focus: DHS stint, Pepperdine law degree and Truth Social link as Trump picks her for White House press secretary, replacing Karoline Leavitt

Katie Zacharia has been picked up by US President Donald Trump to be the next White House press secretary, according to a White House official. Katie Zacharia would replace Karoline Leavitt, who left the role at the end of August after the birth to her second child. Zacharia previously worked as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, and now serves as a communications adviser for the Trump Media and Technology Group, which owns Truth Social, the president’s social network. Amid her selection as White House Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia past has also come into focus. Katie Zacharia's role as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and deputy assistant of public affairs has come to limelight.

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Katie Zacharia’s role at the Department of Homeland Security

Katie Zacharia previously had a brief stint as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security. A conservative lawyer and commentator, she quit the job earlier this year. She worked under Lauren Bis, who was being promoted to the assistant secretary role. Her resignation came after deputy assistant secretary after Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said Tuesday she is leaving the department. McLaughlin is a sharp defender of the Trump administration’s immigration policies on social media and TV.

In a post on social platform X confirming her resignation, McLaughlin called Zacharia “a dynamic and effective voice in media.” Zacharia has been a commentator for Newsmax since 2024 and has also appeared as a guest on Fox News.

Zacharia said she was “honored and proud to serve” President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “as the new Spokesperson and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.” “I will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again!” she added.

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What did she do before joining the DHS?

According to her LinkedIn profile, Katie Zacharia completed both her undergraduate studies and law degree at Pepperdine University. During her undergraduate years, she interned with the Republican National Committee and the White House Office of Political Affairs during former President George W. Bush’s second term.

While attending law school, Zacharia worked at the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She also served as a law clerk to the director of Advocates International, a global network of Christian lawyers that works to serve the “poor, vulnerable and oppressed,” according to the organization’s website.

After graduating from law school, Zacharia gained international experience, working at a law firm in Beijing and with an organization focused on supporting children of migrant workers.

She later served on the Dean’s Council Board at Pepperdine Law and worked as the school’s director of development. Her professional experience also includes serving as a legal adviser to Fix California, a group founded by Richard Grenell that seeks to advance conservative policies in California. Grenell, an ally of President Donald Trump, currently serves as the interim president of the Kennedy Center.

Zacharia has also publicly expressed strong support for Trump. In a New York Post opinion piece, she described him as “the greatest president in U.S. history” and criticised liberal activists for “obstructing” the work of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Katie Zacharia’s connection to Trump Media and Truth Social

Following her departure from DHS, Zacharia moved into the private digital media sector, stepping into dual roles as Senior Communications Advisor for Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) and Truth Social.

In these positions, she helped guide the strategic messaging, brand positioning, and legal communications of the alternative media platform as it expands its digital footprint across the conservative media ecosystem. At present, she works as a communication's adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group.