President Donald Trump appointed Katie Zacharia as his new White House press secretary, but reporters quickly discovered she has not passed a bar exam, despite repeatedly describing herself as a lawyer on television and social media.
katie zacharia bar exam questions
The controversy centers on the fact that Zacharia earned a JD from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law but there is no record of her passing the California bar or any other state bar. California’s bar association confirms that admission requires a law school degree, a moral‑character assessment, an ethics exam, and a passing score on the bar exam—requirements Zacharia has not satisfied.
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Her academic credentials are clear: a law degree from Pepperdine. She also lists experience as an associate in the international practice group at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing and later as general counsel for the activist group Fix California. However, the credential she mentions obtaining in China has not been identified, and Chinese law prohibits non‑citizens from being licensed to practice.
is katie zacharia a lawyer?
Independent journalist Judd Legum first highlighted that Zacharia repeatedly called herself a lawyer on television, including on CNN. The White House has not corrected this description, and Trump himself referred to her as an “attorney” when announcing her appointment. While many Washington professionals hold law degrees without practicing, the lack of a bar admission means she does not meet the legal definition of a lawyer in California.
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The position of press secretary does not legally require a law license, but the discrepancy has fueled criticism of the administration’s vetting process. Reporters asked Trump where Zacharia passed the bar; she responded that she did so after moving to China, prompting a double‑take from the president.
Background on bar exam requirements
To practice law in California, an individual must graduate from an accredited law school, demonstrate good moral character, pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, and succeed on the California bar exam. Similar standards apply in other states. Without meeting these criteria, a person may not use the title “lawyer” or “attorney” in a professional context.
While the bar exam issue distracts from broader policy debates, it underscores ongoing questions about the White House’s hiring standards. For more on the administration’s communication strategy, see the recent report New press secretary faces criticism after rocky Trump briefing.
Sources: CNN, The New York Times, CNN, South China Morning Post.
