United States President Donald Trump’s newly appointed White House Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia, has been dismissed less than a week after assuming office amid controversy over her performance and professional credentials.
White House officials confirmed on Friday that Zacharia was leaving the role just days after taking office, making her tenure one of the shortest in the history of the position.
Her exit comes at a critical political moment, with the administration preparing for November’s midterm elections and seeking to strengthen public messaging around its policies and achievements.
Trump revealed that he had advised Zacharia to reconsider remaining in the role after she faced intense scrutiny from the media during her first days on the job.
The controversy intensified after questions emerged regarding claims that she had practised law. Although Zacharia maintained that she had experience in international transaction law and possessed the necessary credentials, reports indicated there was no publicly available record showing she had been admitted to practise law in any U.S. jurisdiction.
During a media interview, she later acknowledged that she had not passed the bar examination, fueling further criticism of her qualifications.
Despite expressing optimism about working with journalists earlier on Friday, officials confirmed her departure hours later. The White House has yet to announce a replacement, with Trump indicating he is in no rush to fill the vacancy.
Her brief tenure is believed to be the shortest for any White House press secretary in U.S. history.
