Zacharia made the admission during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday. Asked whether she had failed the examination, she confirmed that she had not passed and said she did not take it again.
The 41-year-old graduated from Pepperdine University’s law school in 2011. However, earning a law degree does not automatically qualify a graduate to practise law in the United States, where lawyers generally must be admitted to a state bar.
In a separate interview with Real America’s Voice, Zacharia explained that she had been preparing to move to China with her husband and considered the examination results inconsequential because she did not intend to practise law there.
She also said she had received advice that she could describe herself as a lawyer based on her education and professional experience, while distinguishing legal analysis from legal advice.
The controversy intensified after President Donald Trump referred to her as an attorney when announcing her appointment. A political ethics organisation has called for an investigation by the California State Bar into her use of the title.
Zacharia began her role this week, but scrutiny of her professional background has continued following her first White House press briefing.
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White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has acknowledged that she failed the bar exam and never retook it, drawing renewed scrutiny over her legal credentials after President Donald Trump described her as an attorney. United States White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has admitted that she failed the bar examination and never retook it, as questions continue to...
Key takeaways
- White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has acknowledged that she failed the bar exam and never retook it, drawing renewed scrutiny over her legal credentials after President Donald Trump described her as an attorney.
- United States White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has admitted that she failed the bar examination and never retook it, as questions continue to emerge over her legal credentials.Zacharia made the admission during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday.
- Asked whether she had failed the examination, she confirmed that she had not passed and said she did not take it again.The 41-year-old graduated from Pepperdine University’s law school in 2011.
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White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has acknowledged that she failed the bar exam and never retook it, drawing renewed scrutiny over her legal credentials after President Donald Trump described her as an attorney. United States White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has admitted that she failed the bar examination and never retook it, as questions continue to...
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Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 16, 2026
