White House press secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed she did not pass the California bar exam, raising questions about her legal credentials. The revelation comes days after she was appointed to the Trump administration, despite her previous claims of being a lawyer.
Zacharia, who earned her law degree from Pepperdine University in 2011, admitted she did not pass the bar exam in California. She stated she was preparing to move to China at the time, which she said she did not need the bar for.
The White House has defended Zacharia's credentials, stating she is uniquely qualified to serve as press secretary. However, the situation highlights the importance of legal licensing in the U.S. and the potential implications for her role in the administration.
Zacharia has called her legal title 'inconsequential' and has sought legal advice on how to present herself as a lawyer without formal bar admission.