Conservative attorney and Trump Media adviser succeeds Karoline Leavitt as the administration seeks to sharpen its public message ahead of November’s elections.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump named Katie Zacharia as the next White House press secretary Friday, choosing a conservative attorney and commentator whose background includes campaign work, political advocacy, television appearances and federal public affairs.
In his announcement on Truth Social, shared by the White House on X, Trump emphasized Zacharia’s longstanding support and said she had helped his campaigns in key swing states. He described her as a “loyal and brilliant supporter” and expressed confidence in her ability to work with reporters and communicate the administration’s record.
Zacharia welcomed the appointment on X, calling it “the honor of a lifetime.” She said she looked forward to working with the White House press corps and reporters across the country.
She succeeds Karoline Leavitt, who announced her departure Aug. 12 and left Aug. 27 to spend more time with her young children. Fox News said this week that Leavitt will begin serving as an on-air contributor Nov. 1, according to Associated Press reporting.
An emphasis on communicating the administration’s record
The selection comes ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, following Trump’s public criticism of his administration’s promotional efforts. At a Hispanic Heritage Month event, he acknowledged shortcomings in explaining what he considers the country’s progress. At a subsequent Oklahoma rally, he again said his administration was governing effectively but communicating poorly, NBC News reported. Those assessments reflect the president’s view of his record.
Republican candidates in some competitive races have also adjusted how they present their relationships with Trump. A Reuters review of voting records, public statements and campaign materials identified candidates in 41 of 62 competitive congressional races who had diverged from Trump on policy or played down ties to him.
The findings concern those competitive contests and should not be treated as a measure of the entire Republican Party. Reuters reported that the differences largely concerned individual issues rather than rejection of Trump’s broader agenda. Some candidates continued appearing with the president while disagreeing with particular policies.
Responding to Reuters, White House spokesman Davis Ingle defended Trump’s role as the party’s leader and principal messenger, pointing to the administration’s accomplishments.
Legal, media and conservative advocacy experience
Zacharia has been a senior communications adviser to Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates Truth Social. Earlier this year, she served in the Department of Homeland Security’s public affairs operation, including as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary.
Her time as DHS’s top spokesperson lasted roughly six weeks. In an April interview with Just the News, she attributed her departure largely to the strain that frequent travel between Washington and California placed on her family. She disputed reporting that linked her departure to political relationships inside the department and reiterated her support for Trump’s homeland-security policies.
Her previous work includes serving as general counsel for Fix California, founded by former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell. The organization describes its mission as advancing conservative ideas and causes, with priorities including election administration, voter registration and education policy.
A public professional biography also lists Zacharia as an adviser to White Rose Resistance, a Christian pro-life organization. The group’s stated work includes mobilizing churches and providing pro-life resources in support of unborn children.
Zacharia earned her undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University in 2007 and her law degree in 2011. She serves on the Caruso School of Law’s Dean’s Council, according to the university. Her earlier experience includes legal work in Beijing and a White House internship during George W. Bush’s administration. She has appeared on Fox News, Newsmax and other television outlets.
An ongoing dispute over press access
Zacharia enters the role while the White House is litigating restrictions on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The outlets argue that excluding them because of their coverage violates constitutional protections, including the First Amendment, the Associated Press reported.
The administration has defended the restrictions by citing national-security concerns and alleged failures to meet professional standards. Those assertions remain disputed by the news organizations.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly temporarily restored the outlets’ access and, on Oct. 8, extended that protection through Oct. 13 while considering a preliminary injunction, JURIST reported. The temporary order does not resolve the underlying lawsuit.
The press secretary’s position places Zacharia in charge of explaining and defending the president’s policies before reporters. In accepting the appointment, she identified communicating the administration’s record as a priority. Her start date had not been announced Friday, ABC News reported.