
AI-generated summary
Katie Zacharia was appointed White House press secretary five days prior to her resignation, succeeding Karoline Leavitt. Her appointment followed controversy over unverified claims that she was a licensed lawyer, despite graduating from law school. She had previously worked as a media commentator and advised Trump Media and Technology.
New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is on the way out from her position, The New York Times and other US news outlets reported on Friday.
Zacharia's departure leaves Trump without a key spokesperson with a little over two weeks before November's midterm elections.
Zacharia's week on the job
Zacharia started her new role just five days ago, taking over for Karoline Leavitt. She had a nervy first White House briefing with journalists on Tuesday, fielding just three questions and leaving the podium after fewer than 14 minutes.
The White House website said later that day that "Katie Zacharia delivered a commanding inaugural press briefing as the 37th White House Press Secretary."
Earlier on Friday, President Donald Trump suggested that Zacharia might be leaving. "I told her: 'I think you're better off being happy, and I'm not sure you can ever be happy in this stuff.' There's nothing easy about this stuff," Trump told reporters.
He added: "I said to her honestly, 'If I were you, I'd reconsider... think about it. But I would reconsider.'"
Controversy over Zacharia's legal background
Last Friday, Trump announced Zacharia's appointment as the new press secretary. However, she became embroiled in controversy when it was revealed that her earlier claims of being a lawyer were false.
Until last week, Zacharia was a commentator for conservative outlets Fox News and Newsmax. She also advised Trump Media and Technology, the company behind Trump's Truth Social platform.
Zacharia has also long described herself as a lawyer, but her credentials remain unverified. While she graduated from law school, neither she nor the White House has provided evidence that she passed the bar exam in any state or in China, where she worked for a large law firm years ago.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Zacharia was an associate at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing from 2011 to 2013. She was also a general counsel at Fix California, an advocacy group founded by Trump ally Richard Grenell, from 2024 to 2025. Grenell served as acting director of national intelligence in 2020.
Zacharia earned her law degree from Pepperdine University in 2011. While nearly all licensed US lawyers first obtain a law degree, law school graduates cannot legally practice law in the US without first being admitted to a state bar.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The White House will appoint a new press secretary before the November midterm elections.
Likely · Within days

Berlin's Left Party, Greens and SPD concluded exploratory talks and agreed on housing-focused policies including public ownership of 160,000 apartments and a new building program for 100,000 affordable flats by 2031, while facing criticism over antisemitism concerns and amid declining poll numbers for mainstream parties.

Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar with racist and xenophobic rhetoric, questioning her citizenship, faith, and loyalty, while also targeting other Muslim politicians like Abdul El-Sayed amid accusations of election interference and political intimidation ahead of the 2022 midterms.

Lawyers for US Representative Ilhan Omar have demanded the return of items seized during a federal raid on her Washington, DC home, alleging the investigation is politically motivated and violated judicial instructions regarding her congressional status.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order requiring independent verification of AI models and the creation of 'kill switches' for rogue AI, marking a shift from his previous veto of similar legislation as he eyes a 2028 presidential run.

Katie Zacharia has resigned as White House press secretary after only five days, marking the shortest tenure in US history. Her departure follows a widely criticized press briefing and public scrutiny regarding her legal credentials and professional background.

Donald Trump has held a series of rallies in traditionally Republican states, using the events to make unusual remarks about physical appearances, animals, and personal grievances rather than focusing on the candidates he is endorsing.