White House press secretary Katie Zacharia, less than a week into her tenure, sparked fresh controversy by mocking China's sanitation infrastructure, saying the country lacks 'proper toilets.' The remark came during an interview with conservative commentator Jack Posobiec on Thursday, as Zacharia sought to dismiss China's global ascent.
'I remember this very distinctly having just come from China, thinking, how is China the next country on the horizon? They don't even have proper toilets,' Zacharia said, drawing immediate backlash from critics who saw the comment as an ill-timed distraction from her own mounting credibility problems.
Zacharia, a former Department of Homeland Security spokesperson and communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group, assumed the press secretary role less than a week ago, succeeding Karoline Leavitt, who departed earlier this year. Her first official briefing on Tuesday lasted just 14 minutes, during which she took only three questions and announced that U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle had been asked to resign amid reports of misconduct.
The press secretary's appointment has been dogged by questions about her professional background. She has previously claimed to be a lawyer, but reports indicate she is not licensed to practice law in any U.S. state. The Campaign for Accountability has filed a complaint with the State Bar of California, requesting an investigation into her assertions.
When reporters pressed her on where she passed the bar exam, Zacharia replied, 'When I moved to China.' That answer has only deepened the scrutiny, with legal experts noting that a U.S. bar license cannot be obtained in China. According to a White House official, Zacharia moved to Beijing with her husband after graduation for his job at a U.S. private equity firm, and her LinkedIn profile shows she worked as an associate on the international practice team at Zhong Lun Law Firm from 2011 to 2013.
The timing of her latest remarks is particularly awkward, as the administration faces criticism over its handling of China policy. In a separate development, five House Republicans have urged President Trump to scrap a Russian diesel deal and enforce sanctions, highlighting the administration's tangled international posture. Meanwhile, Washington's shifting view of China has led to a renewed focus on India as a strategic counterweight.
Zacharia's toilet comment drew immediate comparisons to her predecessors, with former press secretary Sean Spicer expressing sympathy for her struggles in the briefing room. 'It's a tough job, and every word gets scrutinized,' Spicer said in an interview, adding that he understands the pressure she faces.
The press secretary's legal troubles have not subsided. A watchdog group has filed a formal complaint over her bar claims, and her clarifying statement—that she worked on international transaction law in China—has done little to quell the controversy. Critics note that her LinkedIn profile does not list a law degree from any accredited U.S. institution.
As the White House grapples with these distractions, Zacharia's mockery of China's toilets may further complicate her ability to project authority on foreign policy. The administration has sought to project strength on the world stage, but such remarks risk undermining that message, especially as Republican lawmakers push for stricter enforcement of sanctions against adversaries.
For now, the press secretary's focus remains on defending her record and navigating the fallout from her latest gaffe. Whether she can regain credibility with the press corps and the public remains an open question, as her tenure gets off to a rocky start.
