White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said Wednesday that she misheard a reporter's shouted question about where she passed the bar exam, explaining that she thought she was being asked where she went after law school. The clarification comes amid mounting scrutiny over her legal credentials.
In a phone interview with The New York Times, Zacharia said she assumed the question was, "Where were you after law school?" when she responded earlier this week that she had passed the bar upon moving to China. The exchange occurred on the South Lawn as President Donald Trump and Zacharia were preparing to depart for a campaign trip to Alaska, shortly after her first briefing as press secretary.
"That's all I could hear over the sound of Marine One," Zacharia told the Times. She added that she remained at a respectful distance behind the president, which prevented her from moving closer to the reporter to hear the question clearly.
The clarification follows a report from the left-leaning newsletter Popular Information that Zacharia is not licensed to practice law in any U.S. state or in Washington, D.C. The Wall Street Journal later reported that Zacharia took the California bar exam after earning her law degree from Pepperdine University but did not pass. She then moved to China and worked as an associate at Zhong Lun Law Firm.
The watchdog group Campaign for Accountability has filed a complaint with the State Bar of California over Zacharia's claims that she is a lawyer. The complaint seeks an investigation into her statements.
Despite the backlash, the White House is standing by Zacharia. Communications director Steven Cheung issued a statement praising her as "a fabulous and wonderful addition to the team," adding that she is "uniquely qualified and whip smart" and will "do an incredible job as Press Secretary."
This is not the first time a press secretary has faced questions about credibility. Sean Spicer, a former press secretary, has expressed sympathy for the challenges of the role, noting the intense scrutiny that comes with the job.
The controversy also echoes broader concerns about the administration's handling of legal and ethical standards. The watchdog's request for a bar probe adds to the pressure on Zacharia, who was appointed just days ago.
As the story develops, questions remain about how the administration will address the discrepancy between Zacharia's public statements and her actual bar exam history. The White House has not yet announced any changes to her role.
