# Katie Zacharia throws Trump under the bus in stunning response about her legal qualifications amid fake 'attorney' outrage

> Katie Zacharia denies being an attorney after Trump team claims she passed bar exam in China.
- Title: Katie Zacharia throws Trump under the bus in stunning…
- Summary: Katie Zacharia denies being an attorney after Trump team claims she passed bar exam in China. Katie Zacharia, Trump's new press secretary, says she never…
- Keywords: katie zacharia, trump, white house press secretary, bar exam, legal qualifications, china, news, entertainment, Katie, Zacharia, throws, under
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16214785/katie-zacharia-trump-response-legal-qualifications.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-16T14:33:48+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: katie zacharia, trump, white house press secretary, bar exam, legal qualifications, us, china, news, entertainment
## Katie Zacharia's legal qualifications
Katie Zacharia, Trump's new press secretary, claims she never passed the US bar exam despite claiming to be an attorney.
## Trump team's fake 'attorney' claims
Trump's team says Zacharia passed the bar exam in China, but she later admitted she misheard the question.
## Zacharia's China background
Zacharia lived and worked in Beijing for two to three years after graduating from Pepperdine University Law School.
## Zacharia's job in China
She worked for the Zhong Lun Law Firm from August 2011 to June 2014, practicing international transaction law.
## Zacharia's legal credentials
Zacharia claims to be a graduate of Pepperdine University and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, an attorney, and a frequent commentator on conservative outlets.
## Zacharia's confusion on bar exam
Zacharia confused reporters by saying she passed the bar exam in China, though she later admitted she misheard the question.
## Trump's response
Trump wrote that Zacharia is a distinguished graduate of Pepperdine University and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, an attorney, and a frequent commentator.
## California's legal requirements
In many states, like California, there are legal ramifications for improperly identifying oneself as an attorney.
## Zacharia's clarification
Zacharia clarified that she never passed the bar exam since it wasn't necessary for her job in China, where the US qualification would not have carried water.
## Zacharia's role as press secretary
Zacharia started her job as press secretary on Tuesday after being announced for the role on Friday.
## Zacharia's press briefing
Zacharia held a press briefing the morning of her first day on the job.
## Zacharia's Fox News interview
Zacharia was pressed by Fox News host Lawrence Jones about why she's described herself as an attorney in the past.
## Zacharia's response to Fox
Zacharia said, 'Well, Lawrence, those questions weren't asked. I'm being hired as White House press secretary and not White House counsel.'

> Well, Lawrence, those questions weren't asked. I'm being hired as White House press secretary and not White House counsel.
## Zacharia's legal confusion
Zacharia confused reporters on Tuesday after saying she passed the bar exam in China, though she later admitted she misheard the question.
## Zacharia's China experience
Zacharia lived and worked in Beijing, China, for roughly two to three years after graduating from Pepperdine University's law school.
## Zacharia's legal credentials
Zacharia claims to have worked as general counsel for conservative political group Fix California and outside counsel for the World Bank Group and International Finance Corporation.
## Key takeaway

Katie Zacharia, Trump's new press secretary, says she never passed the US bar exam despite claiming to be an attorney.