Katie Zacharia steps down as White House Press Secretary after five days

Katie Zacharia has left her role as White House Press Secretary just five days after taking office, following intense public scrutiny over her legal credentials and a brief, difficult first briefing. A White House official confirmed on Friday, October 16, 2026, that she was let go after U.S. President Donald Trump advised her to reconsider the position.

What Happened

Ms. Zacharia took up the post on Monday, October 12, 2026, succeeding Karoline Leavitt. During her inaugural press briefing on Tuesday, October 13, she took questions from only three reporters and ended the session in less than 15 minutes while reading talking points from a notebook. Media outlets subsequently questioned her background after she acknowledged that she had not passed a bar examination, despite holding a law degree from Pepperdine University and previously describing herself as a lawyer. When asked during the briefing where she passed the bar, she replied that she did so in China, where she worked as an associate at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing from 2011 to 2013. On Thursday, October 15, she conceded she had not passed the exam, stating she had relied on assurances that she could provide legal analysis without being an attorney at law. The political ethics organisation Campaign for Accountability called on the California Bar Association to investigate, stating that calling oneself a lawyer without a licence in California is a crime.

Reaction

President Trump told reporters before leaving the White House that he had suggested she reconsider the job because of the heavy criticism, noting she had been treated nastily. Confirming her departure in a post on X, Ms. Zacharia said it had been an honour to serve, praising Mr. Trump as a hardworking and kind man. Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries posted on X that the departure showed Republican struggles as the November midterm elections approach.

Context

Passing a bar examination is a mandatory legal requirement to obtain a licence to practise law and represent clients in courts across the United States. White House press secretaries serve as the primary public spokespersons for the executive branch, fielding daily inquiries from national and international media organisations.