Katie Zacharia acknowledges failing bar exam as questions mount over her legal credentials

2026-10-15

Katie Zacharia acknowledged that she never passed a bar exam, despite previously describing herself as a lawyer and being called one by President Donald Trump.
She said she failed California’s bar exam in 2011; Reuters found no records showing she was admitted to practise law in any US state or the District of Columbia.
Zacharia has a law degree from Pepperdine University, but US law graduates must be admitted to a state bar to practise law in the country.
She said she practised international transaction law with appropriate credentials; Reuters reported that Chinese law bars foreigners from practising as lawyers there, though they may advise on legal matters.
A watchdog group filed a complaint seeking an investigation into whether Zacharia presented herself as licensed to practise law, according to Anadolu Agency.
El Financiero reported, citing The New York Times, that Zacharia was dismissed after five days as press secretary.