▲ U.S. President Donald Trump and White House Spokesperson Katie Zacharia
It has been confirmed that White House Spokesperson Katie Zacharia, who has been active while highlighting her legal background, has not passed a U.S. bar exam.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 14th (local time) that Zacharia took the California bar exam after graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2011, but failed.
Zacharia, who made a name for herself as a political commentator on conservative-leaning media outlets such as Fox News, introduced herself as a lawyer in public appearances including broadcasts.
President Donald Trump also referred to Zacharia as a lawyer when recently announcing the new spokesperson.
However, Zacharia subsequently became embroiled in a controversy over her background after her name could not be found in the registry of lawyers in California, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
During her first White House briefing the previous day, when a reporter asked her which state she passed the bar exam in, she replied, "When I moved to China," but did not provide a specific explanation.
Later, through a statement, she said, "I possess all the necessary qualifications and worked in international transaction law."
According to the WSJ, after failing the California bar exam in 2011, Zacharia moved to Beijing, China, with her then-fiancé and worked in the international business team of Zhong Lun Law Firm, a major local law firm.
At the time, she was reportedly responsible for drafting contracts and communicating with clients related to the businesses of U.S. and multinational corporations in China.
However, the WSJ reported that foreign employees performing this work were not required to hold a Chinese legal qualification.
Foreign employees like Zacharia were formally classified as international legal consultants, and official legal opinions were handled by local partners holding Chinese legal qualifications, according to the report.
In response, the White House defended Zacharia, stating that she was not hired for legal work.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung stated that Zacharia has "unmatched credentials and exceptional intellect" and will perform her duties as spokesperson well.
In the United States, practicing as a lawyer generally requires passing the bar exam in the relevant jurisdiction and obtaining a license following a character and fitness evaluation.
In some states, introducing oneself as a lawyer or providing legal services without a bar admission can be subject to penalties.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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