Press secretary's bar exam failure

Katie Zacharia, Trump's new White House press secretary, did not pass the California bar exam after graduating from law school, according to a senior administration official.

Trump called her an attorney

President Donald Trump referred to Zacharia as an attorney in his Truth Social post announcing her appointment as press secretary.

What lawyers say about the title

Several lawyers told NBC News that lawyer is widely understood to refer to someone who has passed the bar exam and is licensed to practice law.

Administration's legal argument

A senior administration official argued that Zacharia could technically be considered a lawyer, though not an attorney, despite not passing the California bar exam.

No evidence of any bar license

NBC News has not found evidence that Zacharia is licensed to practice law in any state. She graduated from Pepperdine Law.

Claims about practicing in China

Zacharia said she practiced law in China, but legal experts told NBC News that only Chinese citizens can sit for the Chinese bar exam.

Zacharia's explanation of her title

In an interview with Real America's Voice, Zacharia said she consulted with people in the field about whether she could call herself a lawyer, not attorney or esquire, and provide legal analysis.

“I was very careful how I executed this and I never came across as someone who was an attorney at law.”

Pepperdine's guidance on terminology

The New York Times reported that Zacharia discussed with Pepperdine's president how to identify herself before appearing on cable news, and was told it was OK to use lawyer but not attorney or esquire.

Investigation request filed

Representatives from the Democracy Defenders Fund asked California Attorney General Rob Bonta and George Cardona, chief trial attorney at the State Bar of California, to investigate whether Zacharia engaged in unauthorized practice of law.

“Falsely holding oneself out as a lawyer is a criminal offense, punishable by fine or incarceration of up to a year in jail.”

Who signed the complaint letter

Signatories included Norm Eisen, co-founder of the Democracy Defenders Fund, and Richard Painter, who served as President George W. Bush's ethics lawyer and is now a law professor at the University of Minnesota.

White House defends Zacharia

White House communications director Steven Cheung said Zacharia is a fabulous addition to the team and uniquely qualified to help inform Americans about Trump administration achievements.

“She is uniquely qualified and whip smart to help inform the American people about all the great things President Trump and his Administration have been doing.”

Bar association's response

A State Bar of California spokesperson told NBC News the bar cannot confirm whether it has received any complaint or is conducting any investigation, citing confidentiality requirements.