Reports emerge regarding White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia's bar exam status

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia is facing scrutiny regarding her professional credentials following reports that she did not pass the bar exam. Zacharia, who graduated from the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in 2011, has frequently identified herself as a lawyer in public appearances, including 18 segments on Fox News since March 2025.

Questions regarding her status emerged after a review of attorney registration records across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia failed to locate any listing confirming she was admitted to practice law. While she is reported to have passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, which tests knowledge of legal ethics, she did not pass the California bar exam after attempting it around the time she was preparing for her wedding and a move to China.

Following her first White House press briefing this week, Zacharia was asked by reporters to clarify where she had passed the bar exam. She responded by stating that she passed it when she moved to China, though she did not specify a jurisdiction.

In a subsequent statement provided to the press, Zacharia addressed the inquiries regarding her background. She maintained that she had practiced law, though the full details of her statement were not provided in the reports. The situation remains a point of public discussion as observers continue to examine her professional history in light of her current role.