Trump Ousts Press Secretary Katie Zacharia After Just Five Days

President Trump removed Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, five days after she started and three days after her only press briefing. Two administration officials said Trump was "blindsided" after The Wall Street Journal reported Zacharia was not licensed to practice law in any U.S. state, despite Trump introducing her as an "attorney" when he named her to the job on Oct. 9. Zacharia told Fox News she failed the California bar exam in 2011 and never retook it. A White House official said she also appeared visibly nervous during her Oct. 13 briefing.

The rapid reversal adds to a string of personnel stumbles in Trump's communications operation during a competitive midterm cycle, and raises questions about how thoroughly the White House vetted her credentials before announcing her as an attorney in a formal government role.

The White House had not named a replacement as of this writing; Trump said he is in "no rush" to do so. Zacharia posted on social media thanking Trump and calling the job "an honor."