Trump Fires Press Secretary After Less Than A Week In Office

US President Donald Trump has reportedly dismissed White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia less than a week after she assumed office, following criticism over her performance and questions about her legal credentials.

Two White House officials confirmed that Zacharia had been relieved of her duties and was transitioning out of the role.

Her departure came days after she faced scrutiny over claims that she had practised law, with questions raised about whether she had been admitted to practise in any US state.

Zacharia, a graduate of Pepperdine University Law School, had said she practised international transaction law. However, Reuters reported that it could not find records showing that she was registered as an attorney or member of the bar in any US state or the District of Columbia.

During an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Zacharia acknowledged that she had not passed the bar examination. Law school graduates in the United States must be admitted to a state bar before they can legally practise law.

Trump had earlier told reporters that he advised Zacharia to reconsider her position after she received unfavourable media coverage during her first days in office.

“I think you’re better off being happy, and I’m not sure you can ever be happy in this stuff,” the president said, explaining that he had encouraged her to think about whether she wanted to continue in the role.

Zacharia assumed office on Monday and conducted her first White House press briefing on Tuesday. She had been appointed to succeed Karoline Leavitt as the president’s chief spokesperson.

According to two people familiar with the discussions, Trump had sought a new spokesperson who could improve media coverage of his administration and highlight its achievements.

Her exit leaves the White House without a press secretary shortly before the US midterm elections, a crucial period for Trump and his Republican allies as they seek to retain control of Congress.

Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News on Friday that he was in no hurry to appoint a replacement.

Zacharia’s departure is believed to mark the shortest tenure of any White House press secretary in history.

Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House communications director for 10 days during Trump’s first administration, reacted to her departure in a post on X.

“Records are made to be broken,” he wrote, adding that he took no pleasure in another person’s difficulties.