Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia may have violated California law by calling herself an attorney, group says

Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia may have violated California law by calling herself an attorney, group says Nonprofit watchdog files complaint with State Bar of California after she ‘repeatedly held herself out to the public as entitled to practice law without a license to do so’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A watchdog group has accused Donald Trump’s new White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia of violating California law by describing herself as a “lawyer” and working as an attorney in California despite never being admitted to practice law in the state. Campaign for Accountability, a nonprofit group, filed a complaint with the State Bar of California on Wednesday stating that Zacharia has “repeatedly held herself out to the public as entitled to practice law without a license to do so, conduct California law treats as a crime.” “Ms. Zacharia has represented herself as a lawyer repeatedly to buttress her reputation and credibility as a television legal commentator and now as the White House spokesperson, yet it seems it was all a lie,” according to the group’s executive director Michelle Kuppersmith. “In California, calling yourself a lawyer without a license isn’t puffery; it’s a crime,” she added. “The State Bar should investigate whether Ms. Zacharia has misled the public about her credentials and hold her accountable if she has.” In a statement to The Independent on Tuesday night, Zacharia said she “practiced international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials” while working for a Chinese firm, but did not answer whether she has ever been admitted to any state bar. The White House only noted that Zacharia has her juris doctorate, an academic degree. The White House did not immediately respond to The Independent’s request for comment in response to the bar complaint. Growing scrutiny into Zacharia’s legal experience followed Tuesday morning’s report from news outlet Popular Information, which sought to untangle her public statements and whether she is licensed to practice law in the U.S. That afternoon, during her first appearance alongside the president, reporters asked Zacharia where she had ever passed a bar exam. She responded, “When I moved to China.” After graduating from Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law in 2011, Zacharia worked for Chinese firm Zhong Lun. “Published reporting indicates, however, that China does not permit foreign nationals to sit for its national bar examination or to practice Chinese law,” according to Wednesday's complaint from Campaign for Accountability. “In any event, admission in a foreign jurisdiction would not authorize Ms. Zacharia to practice law in California or to hold herself out as entitled to do so here,” the complaint states. Her LinkedIn does not list any experience as an attorney except for 15 months as “general counsel” with Fix California, a right-wing nonprofit group founded by Trump ally Richard Grenell. It’s a misdemeanor in California to consider oneself an attorney entitled to practice law without a license with the State Bar. It’s punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The complaint asks the State Bar to determine whether Zacharia’s work for Fix California similarly violated state law — and to refer any allegations to the Ventura County District Attorney for prosecution. “The rules against unlicensed lawyering exist to protect the public,” Kuppersmith said. “To be meaningful, the rules must apply to people with the biggest megaphones, not just to those with no platform.” Zacharia does not appear to have worked as a legal professional following her work with Zhong Lun and Fix California. She began working as a commentator for right-wing media outlet Newsmax in 2024 and then as a commentator with Fox News the following year. According to Campaign for Accountability, Zacharia has been identified as a lawyer in at least 18 appearances on Fox News since March 2025. She also worked as a deputy assistant secretary for public affairs with the Department of Homeland Security from February to March of this year. Since June, she has served as a senior communications adviser with the president’s social media platform TruthSocial and its parent company Trump Media & Technology Group — roles that she appears to hold alongside her work at the White House, according to LinkedIn. In June, Zacharia was also appointed to the advisory board of NovaRed Mining, where she will provide “strategic guidance to the Board of Directors and management team in the areas of public affairs, government relations, communications, capital markets visibility, and corporate development” for a copper and gold mining project and “emerging artificial intelligence initiatives.” The company, which later rebranded to NRED Intelligent Mining Inc., described her as “an attorney, political strategist, media commentator, and international advisor whose career spans legal affairs, public policy, strategic communications, and business development” in a press release announcing the appointment. CEO Brian Goss also touted her “legal expertise” in the announcement. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments