The White House is supporting new press secretary Katie Zacharia amid questions about her legal qualifications and bar exam status.
The White House currently defends its new press secretary, Katie Zacharia. She faces intense scrutiny regarding her legal credentials.
President Donald Trump introduced Zacharia as an attorney during her appointment announcement. Zacharia also referred to herself as a lawyer previously.
However, a reporter recently asked where she passed the bar exam. She replied by mentioning she moved to China.
Meanwhile, records do not show her registered to practice law in any American state. White House official Steven Cheung calls her smart and well-qualified.
After that, a watchdog group filed a formal complaint against her. The Campaign for Accountability wants the California State Bar to investigate her.
They worry she claimed to be a lawyer without a proper license. California law considers such actions a potential crime.
Still, the 42-year-old strategist did graduate from Pepperdine University law school in 2011. A law degree does not grant a license to practice law.
Next, Zacharia explained her previous comments to the press. She claimed a university official once told her she could use the title of lawyer.
Also, she said the confusion about the bar exam resulted from a misunderstanding. She struggled to hear the reporter over the noise of a helicopter.
Reports suggest she took the California bar exam but did not pass. She focused on her wedding and a move to China during that time.
Finally, she worked at a law firm in Beijing for two years. Foreign citizens cannot obtain a full law license in China.
She claims she handled international transaction law while living abroad. Her professional history continues to draw significant public and media attention.