White House press secretary’s claim of passing a bar exam in China draws scrutiny
Katie Zacharia, the White House press secretary, told a reporter she passed a bar exam while living in China. Observers note that U.S. bar examinations must be taken in person within the United States and that her name does not appear in any state bar directory. They also point out that the Chinese bar is limited to Chinese citizens and that Zacharia’s limited Mandarin skills make the claim appear implausible. Zacharia earned a J.D. from Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law, spent two to three years in Beijing working for Zhong Lun Law Firm, and has identified herself as a lawyer on radio and television, citing a General Counsel role at the conservative nonprofit Fix California.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 4h later
Why it matters
Questions about her legal credentials could affect confidence in a senior White House official.
How this story developed
- Oct 8 Media outlets seek court order to keep White House press passes amid ban challenge
- Oct 9 The White House has extended the press secretary position to Katie Zacharia, pending her acceptance.
- Oct 10 Trump announced Katie Zacharia as the new White House press secretary.
- Oct 11 The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division has moved from considering to actively reviewing the broadcasters’ pool practices.
- Oct 11 Deleted social‑media posts by Zacharia containing extremist statements were uncovered.
- Oct 13 Katie Zacharia, President Trump's new press secretary, has repeatedly called herself a lawyer, but investigations found no evidence she is licensed to practice law.
- Oct 13 Zacharia held her first White House press briefing.
- Oct 14 The court issued a ruling that blocks the administration’s ban on the three outlets.
- Oct 14 Zacharia’s China‑based bar exam claim has prompted new scrutiny.
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