Katie Zacharia, appointed by US President Donald Trump as White House press secretary, has a background in law, Republican politics, television commentary and strategic communications, including professional experience in China.
Trump announced her appointment on 9 October, describing her as a "loyal and brilliant supporter" and a member of his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. She will succeed Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August.
From law to Republican politics
Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University in California with an undergraduate degree in political science and a law degree in 2011.
While studying law, she interned at the White House during President George W Bush's administration and also worked with the Republican National Committee.
According to Pepperdine University, she later served as the institution's director of development for special projects from 2023 to 2025.
She also worked as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative advocacy organisation founded by Trump ally Richard Grenell.
Before her appointment as press secretary, Zacharia became a familiar face on conservative television, appearing as a commentator on Fox News and Newsmax. She was also involved in Trump's political campaigns, particularly in competitive states, according to reports on her appointment.
Her China connection
One less widely reported aspect of Zacharia's career is her experience in China. She lived in Beijing in the early 2010s, where she worked as a corporate lawyer.
She also worked with Compassion for Migrant Children, a nonprofit organisation focused on the welfare and education of children of migrant workers in China.
The South China Morning Post reported on 11 October that Zacharia learned Chinese while living in Beijing and retained enough proficiency to understand conversations and occasionally participate in them. The report did not establish whether she is currently fluent.
Her experience in China adds an international dimension to a career that has since become closely associated with conservative politics in the United States.
A brief stint at Homeland Security
Earlier in 2026, Zacharia served as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the US Department of Homeland Security under then-secretary Kristi Noem. She left after roughly two months.
The department oversees immigration enforcement, a central policy priority of the Trump administration.
Zacharia subsequently joined Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the president's social media platform, Truth Social. Most recently, she served as a senior communications adviser to the company.
What her appointment means
As White House press secretary, Zacharia will be responsible for briefing journalists, answering questions about administration policy and communicating the president's positions to the public. The role places her at the centre of the administration's relationship with the news media.
Trump's public praise for Zacharia underscores his emphasis on personal loyalty among senior communications officials. Her experience as a conservative commentator and communications adviser is directly relevant to the position, while her legal background and time in China add further dimensions to her professional history.
Her appointment comes as the administration prepares for the November 2026 midterm elections, when Republicans will seek to defend their congressional majorities.