Katie Zacharia held her first press briefing at the White House on Tuesday.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President Donald Trump chose Katie Zacharia to serve as the new White House press secretary.
Zacharia previously worked for Trump Media and Technology Group, which runs Truth Social.
She succeeded Karoline Leavitt, who left the job in August.
Katie Zacharia held her first briefing as White House press secretary on Tuesday, taking over the role previously held by Karoline Leavitt.
Zacharia is the second press secretary to serve in Trump’s second term, and the sixth across his two non-consecutive terms. Leavitt left the job in August to spend more time with her young children.
In a Truth Social post announcing his hiring of Zacharia, President Donald Trump wrote that “She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning,” adding that “She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA!”
“I am grateful to serve President Trump as press secretary, and I will diligently and effectively amplify his successful agenda,” Zacharia told Business Insider.
Here’s what to know about her.
What was Katie Zacharia doing before this?
Katie Zacharia on the South Lawn of the White House.
Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images
Zacharia previously worked as a senior communications advisor at Trump Media and Technology Group, which runs Truth Social, a White House official confirmed to Business Insider.
Zacharia previously worked as a spokesperson for former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at the Department of Homeland Security, and as a commentator for Fox News and Newsmax.
Her LinkedIn profile also indicates that she serves as general counsel for the conservative nonprofit Fix California, and served as a White House intern in 2006, during President George W. Bush’s second term.
Is Katie Zacharia a lawyer?
Zacharia earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Pepperdine University and a law degree from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.
She has described herself as a lawyer , but she confirmed to Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Thursday that she sat for the California bar exam but did not pass it or retake it.
“I had already preregistered for the bar exam,” she said. “Basically, during the summer, I knew I would be living in China and the results of the bar were inconsequential, and I sat for it because I didn’t want to have a withdrawal status.”
Zacharia’s LinkedIn profile lists her as working as an associate at the Beijing law firm Zhong Lun from August 2011 to June 2013.
Zacharia added that she “consulted attorneys and legal professionals” to confirm that she could call herself a lawyer and offer legal analysis on cable news since she holds a law degree and had “actual substantive legal experience.”
Zacharia told Business Insider in a statement that she “practiced international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials.”
The White House referred Business Insider to Zacharia’s comments on Fox News.
Who is Katie Zacharia’s husband?
Tyler Zacharia and Katie Zacharia at the premiere of “David.”
Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
Zacharia is married to film producer Tyler Zacharia, who has produced movies such as “Young Washington” and “David” with Angel Studios, a production company specializing in faith-based films.
He also served as an executive producer of the 2019 movie “The Irishman” starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, according to his IMDb page .
They wed in 2011.
Does Katie Zacharia have children?
Zacharia and her husband share four children, ages 12, 10, 8, and 6.
At her first press briefing, when Zacharia was asked about balancing work and motherhood , she said her family is moving from California to Washington, DC, so she can be present with them while working in the White House. She also called Trump “the most family-friendly president we’ve ever had.”
“The fact that he knew I had four kids, and he knew that this job would be demanding, and still placed his trust in me, shows that I know I’m capable of being able to step up to that,” she said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Read the original article on Business Insider
