White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed late Thursday that she did not pass the bar exam. The statement comes after questions were raised regarding her legal qualifications during her first week in the role. Prior to her appointment, Zacharia had identified herself as a lawyer, and President Trump had referred to her as an “attorney” in public remarks.

The confirmation follows a period of intense media and public interest in Zacharia’s professional history. While the White House has not provided further details regarding the timeline of her attempts at the exam or how this impacts her current duties, the admission addresses the primary point of contention regarding her status as a practicing member of the bar. The scrutiny began shortly after she assumed her position, as observers sought to verify the background of the new press secretary. Zacharia’s statement serves as a direct response to the reports questioning her credentials.