Katie Zacharia leaves White House press secretary role after just her first week
A sudden change at the White House
Two U.S. officials told CBS News on Friday that Katie Zacharia would leave her post as President Trump's White House press secretary. The decision came after her first week in the position.
One aide described Zacharia as unusually isolated during the week and said she did not carry out the press secretary's work. The article does not identify the aide.
Trump signals doubts about tenure
As he left the White House Friday, Trump indicated Zacharia might not remain in the job. He said he had advised her to “reconsider” accepting it, according to the report.
Trump had named Zacharia as his choice one week earlier. She was selected to replace Karoline Leavitt, who stepped aside in August.
Questions over legal background
Zacharia's qualifications and résumé drew scrutiny after her selection. CBS News and other outlets reported that she had presented herself as a lawyer over the years. She graduated from Pepperdine Law School but did not pass the California bar exam in 2011, a fact she acknowledged Thursday. Zacharia told the New York Times that Pepperdine's president had advised her she could describe herself as a “lawyer,” but not an “attorney.”
Zacharia said she had been careful not to present herself as an attorney at law. The report also includes a post from Scaramucci saying records are made to be broken, while adding that he took no pleasure in others' pain.
Key points
- Two U.S. officials said Zacharia is leaving the press secretary role after one week.
- Trump said he advised Zacharia to reconsider taking the job.
- Zacharia acknowledged failing the California bar exam in 2011.
- She graduated from Pepperdine Law School.