Just one week after appointing her to the role, President Donald Trump advised White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia to rethink her position. Speaking on the South Lawn Friday, the president revealed he gave her this advice moments before stepping out to face reporters.
A senior White House official confirmed to Fox News that Zacharia is currently “transitioning out” of the role.
Media attacks and a short briefing
Zacharia began her duties on Monday and conducted her inaugural press briefing the following day, Tuesday. The session surprised reporters by lasting only 14 minutes and including just three questions. Trump called this performance a sign that the job might not be right for her.
He emphasized that she has been treated very unfairly by the news media. According to the Daily Wire, he told her she has been “brutalized” by the legacy media.
Trump said he wants her to “have a good life” and not suffer the way she has in the last few days. He added, “And I said, Katie, do you need this? I don’t think you need this, and we’re talking about doing something. We like Katie a lot.”
Questions over legal credentials
Zacharia has faced scrutiny over her legal background since her appointment. She calls herself an attorney, but there is no record of her passing the bar exam in the United States. During an appearance on “Hannity” Thursday, she admitted she never obtained a law license.
She explained her decision to take the exam to Daily Signal reporters. “I graduated Pepperdine, got married in the same week, and we had all intent to move out to China,” she said. She noted she had already preregistered for the bar exam before moving.
“And during — basically, during the summer, I knew I would be living in China and the results of the bar were inconsequential, and I sat for it because I didn’t want to have a withdrawal status,” she said. Subsequently, she relocated to China and took a position at an international division of a Chinese law firm.
When asked if he would keep her employed, Trump said, “I’m going to let her make that decision.” He repeated his advice to her directly. “Honestly if I were you I’d reconsider,” he said.
He walked back claims that he fired her when pressed by reporters. “No no. I want her to have a good life,” he said. The situation remains fluid as the White House handles the transition.
