Is Katie Zacharia an attorney? New White House press secretary’s China bar exam remark sparks scrutiny over her legal credentials

US President Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, is facing scrutiny over her legal qualifications after an exchange about her bar examination raised questions about where she is licensed to practise law.

After her first White House press briefing on October 13, Zacharia was asked which state’s bar examination she had passed. Her response, “When I moved to China”, left reporters seeking clarification about her professional credentials, according to the South China Morning Post.

A review of attorney registration records in New York, Washington, California, Texas and Florida by SCMP found no listing for Zacharia. Independent journalist Judd Legum also reported finding no evidence that she had been admitted to practise in any US state or Washington, DC. These findings do not independently establish whether she passed an examination elsewhere.

Katie Zacharia’s education and Beijing legal career

Zacharia is a political science and government graduate from Pepperdine University. She graduated in 2007, followed by a law degree from Pepperdine's Caruso School of Law in 2011. This information was verified in the university press release issued October 9 announcing her appointment.

On her LinkedIn page, it is stated that she served as an associate lawyer in the international practice group at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing from August 2011 to June 2013. The firm is reportedly one of the most reputable commercial law firms in China.

According to SCMP, Zacharia was also employed by Compassion for Migrant Children for fundraising and communication purposes.

However, working at a Chinese law firm does not itself establish that someone is licensed to practise law. China’s national judicial examination rules in 2011 required candidates to hold Chinese nationality, raising further questions about what Zacharia meant by passing a bar examination after moving there.

Responding to NewsNation, Zacharia said: “I practiced international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials.” The White House, meanwhile, said that she moved to China with her husband after law school and worked on international transactions there, reported The Hill.

From legal work to Trump’s inner circle

After that, Zacharia made her way into a political and media career focused on conservative politics. She worked as a communication officer at the Department of Homeland Security and as a commentator for Fox News and Newsmax. She also held the position of senior communication adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns Truth Social.

Trump announced her appointment as White House press secretary on October 9 and praised her loyalty and described her as an attorney. Zacharia replaces Karoline Leavitt, who left in August.

Her debut briefing lasted approximately 14 minutes, with Zacharia answering three questions, the Associated Press reported. The unresolved questions about her legal credentials have now become an early test of her credibility in one of Washington’s most prominent communications roles.