Democracy Defenders Fund Seeks Katie Zacharia Probe Over Unauthorized Law Practice, as Bar Failure Emerges
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Oct 15
Democracy Defenders Fund Seeks Katie Zacharia Probe Over Unauthorized Law Practice, as Bar Failure Emerges
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Oct 15
Summary
Democracy Defenders Fund asked California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the State Bar on Wednesday to investigate whether White House press secretary Katie Zacharia engaged in unauthorized law practice.
NBC News reported a senior administration official said Zacharia did not pass the California bar exam, while no evidence was found that she is licensed to practice in any state.
The request builds on scrutiny over Zacharia repeatedly calling herself a lawyer and Trump's earlier description of her as an attorney, even as legal experts said those terms usually imply bar admission.
The White House pointed to Zacharia's prior statement that she practiced international transaction law with appropriate credentials and praised her as uniquely qualified, while California's bar declined to say whether any complaint or investigation exists.
The new filing follows a separate complaint from Campaign for Accountability, widening pressure on a Trump appointee whose legal credentials have become a public controversy.