New Delhi: Katie Zacharia’s tenure as White House press secretary ended on Friday, after five days, following criticism of her first briefing and questions about her legal qualifications. Her departure comes just over two weeks before the US midterm elections, leaving the US president, Donald Trump, without a permanent spokesperson during an important period for his administration.
In a post on X following her exit, Zacharia described working for Trump as an honour. She called him “kind, wonderful, gracious, thoughtful, enthusiastic, and hardworking” and said she wished more Americans appreciated his leadership.
Her departure comes after Trump advised her to reconsider the job because of the pressure and criticism. The White House press secretary was “transitioning out” of the role, ABC News reported, citing multiple sources and a senior White House official. Two sources told the network that she would take up another position in the administration, with details to be announced later.
First briefing draws criticism
Zacharia held her first briefing on Tuesday. It lasted less than 15 minutes and included only three or four questions from reporters. She relied on notes and faced criticism over her handling of the questions.
The scrutiny intensified when reporters asked about her legal background. Trump and others had described her as an attorney, and she had said she practised law. When asked where she had passed the bar exam, Zacharia initially replied, “When I was in China.”
She later said she had misunderstood the question. However, the exchange prompted further questions about her professional credentials and preparation for the role.
Bar exam admission intensifies scrutiny
During an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Zacharia acknowledged that she had not passed the bar exam. Law school graduates generally must be admitted to a state bar to practise law in the US.
Zacharia said she had practised international transaction law in China with the “appropriate credentials”. There were no records showing that she was admitted to the bar in any US state or the District of Columbia, according to a Reuters report.
The host, Sean Hannity, questioned why she had not simply said that she had never practised law in the US. He also asked whether she believed the White House staff should have prepared her better before her first briefing.
Asked whether she should have told Trump that she had not passed the bar exam, Zacharia said the issue had not come up during the hiring process. She said she had been recruited for a communications position, not a legal one. When asked whether she still had the president’s confidence, she avoided a direct answer and said she hoped to build the trust of those around her.
Trump comments on her departure
Trump addressed the controversy while speaking to reporters outside the White House on Friday. He said he had asked Zacharia whether she wanted to continue in a position that exposed her to sustained criticism.
Trump said he believed the media had treated Zacharia harshly and suggested she might continue working for him in another capacity. Trump told Fox News he was in no rush to appoint a new press secretary.
White House faces vacancy before midterm elections
Zacharia’s departure leaves the administration without a permanent press secretary ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The position is responsible for communicating White House decisions, answering journalists’ questions and presenting the administration’s position on major issues.
Her five-day tenure is believed to be the shortest for a White House press secretary. During Trump’s first term, Anthony Scaramucci served as White House communications director for 10 days before leaving in 2017. His position was separate from that of press secretary.
Scaramucci reacted to Zacharia’s departure on X, writing, “Records are made to be broken,” but added that he took no pleasure in another person’s pain.
Her exit also comes amid wider turmoil among Trump’s associates. Kimberly Guilfoyle’s departure from her previous role was reported earlier in the week, while disputes involving other Trump allies have drawn attention to tensions within his circle. The White House is yet to announce Zacharia’s permanent replacement.