Katie Zacharia is reportedly leaving as White House press secretary days after her debut briefing, following scrutiny over her legal credentials.
Washington: Katie Zacharia is leaving her position as White House press secretary just days after making her briefing-room debut, according to reports citing White House officials. Fox News reported that she was “transitioning out” after President Donald Trump encouraged her to reconsider the job.
Zacharia held her first formal briefing on October 13 in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. An official White House release identified her as the administration’s 37th press secretary and praised her inaugural appearance.
Her debut attracted attention for its brevity and limited questioning. The session lasted approximately 14 minutes, with questions taken from three reporters, according to subsequent coverage.
Questions about her professional background also dominated her first week. Zacharia, a Pepperdine University law graduate, acknowledged in a Fox News interview that she had not passed the bar examination and had not retaken it. Her legal credentials had come under scrutiny after Trump introduced her as an attorney.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he had advised Zacharia to reconsider the position, describing the public scrutiny surrounding the job as difficult. Reuters reported that the White House did not immediately respond to its request for comment.
The developments mark a rapid reversal from her appointment and debut earlier in the week. Reports describing her departure differ on whether she was dismissed or stepped aside, making attributed wording appropriate as further details emerge.
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