White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia stated on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, that failing the bar exam was "inconsequential" regarding her use of the term "lawyer" to describe herself. Zacharia, who recently succeeded Karoline Leavitt in the role, addressed the matter during an interview on the show Human Events Daily.
The comments follow reports that Zacharia has been described as a lawyer and attorney in public appearances despite not possessing a license to practice law in the United States. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is a prerequisite for the bar exam, which U.S. applicants must pass to be licensed to practice.
Zacharia stated that she took the bar exam while preparing to move to Beijing, China, for her then-fiancé's work. She noted that she was "distracted and overwhelmed" at the time and did not retake the exam upon returning to the U.S. because she became pregnant. While in China, she worked for an international practice division of a Chinese law firm, stating that her law degree provided sufficient credentials for that role.
Regarding her titles, Zacharia said she consulted individuals in the legal field who told her it was "acceptable" to call herself a lawyer based on her degree and international experience, provided she did not use titles like "attorney-at-law" or "esquire." She stated she offers "legal analysis" rather than "legal advice." According to reporting by journalist Judd Legum, Zacharia has been referred to as a lawyer in 18 Fox News appearances since March 2025, and President Trump has referred to her as an "attorney" on Truth Social.
The White House has supported Zacharia, with Communications Director Steven Cheung stating she is "uniquely qualified" for the position.
Under current Chinese regulations, foreign citizens cannot sit for the Chinese bar exam, and foreign lawyers must typically practice for two years in their home country before practicing as a foreign representative attorney in China. Zacharia stated these rules did not prevent her from working at a Chinese firm's international division.