WSJ reports Katie Zacharia failed California bar exam

Katie Zacharia did not pass California's bar exam after graduating from law school in 2011, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The White House said she was hired as press secretary rather than for legal work.

According to the newspaper, Zacharia moved to China after her exam attempt and joined Zhong Lun's Beijing operation. She worked on contracts and transactions for American and international companies.

A source familiar with the department told the Journal that international consultants did not require Chinese bar licences. Local partners prepared legal opinions.

After her first briefing, Zacharia was asked where she had been admitted to legal practice. She linked her answer to moving to China without identifying a specific jurisdiction. The Journal reported that her name was not found in active-lawyer registers in California, Texas or the District of Columbia.

White House spokesperson Steven Cheung called Zacharia a valued employee and stressed that Donald Trump appointed her to handle communications. She previously served as a senior communications adviser to Truth Social.