Katie Zacharia, who was appointed White House press secretary less than a week ago, has left the post following a wave of criticism over her first briefing and questions about her legal background. A White House official confirmed to AFP that Zacharia was "transitioning" out of the role, while several US outlets, including The New York Times, reported that she had been dismissed.
President Donald Trump denied firing her, telling reporters that she had been "brutalized by the media" and that he had encouraged her to stay, saying, "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
A brief and contentious tenure
Zacharia's first press briefing on Tuesday lasted less than 15 minutes. She opened by listing what she described as Trump's achievements before taking only three questions from journalists. The brevity and limited interaction drew immediate criticism from the press corps, which is accustomed to longer, more substantive exchanges.
Her appointment had already raised eyebrows because of her background as a conservative commentator for outlets such as Fox News and Newsmax, where she had long described herself as a lawyer. However, when asked during the briefing about where she had passed the bar exam—a standard requirement to practise law in the United States—she failed to give a clear answer.
On Thursday, Zacharia acknowledged that she had not passed the bar exam, despite holding a law degree from a California university. In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, a close ally of Trump, she confirmed that she had never retaken the exam, saying, "It was never my intent to go into the practice of law."
Speaking to the pro-Trump outlet Real America's Voice, she explained that she had registered for the exam but became "distracted and overwhelmed" by plans to move to China with her husband.
European implications
While this is a domestic US story, it carries resonance for European observers who follow the Trump administration's communications strategy. The rapid turnover at the White House podium comes at a time when transatlantic relations are under strain, with European leaders closely watching Washington's signals on issues from trade to security. The episode also highlights the administration's reliance on media figures with limited institutional experience, a trend that European diplomats and journalists have noted with concern.
Zacharia's departure is unlikely to alter the substance of US policy, but it underscores the volatility within Trump's inner circle. For European capitals, the constant churn in key White House roles complicates efforts to build stable working relationships, as contacts and channels of communication shift with each personnel change.
The controversy also feeds into broader European skepticism about the reliability of US messaging, particularly at a time when EU leaders have closed ranks behind Ukraine amid tensions with Trump. The White House's handling of the press secretary role may be seen as symptomatic of a wider approach that prioritises loyalty over expertise, a perception that could further strain trust across the Atlantic.
As the search for a new press secretary begins, European media and officials will be watching to see whether the next appointment brings more stability and a more conventional approach to the briefing room. For now, the episode serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Washington's communications under the current administration.
