White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has left the position after serving for only five days, according to multiple reports.
President Donald Trump told reporters that he had advised Zacharia to reconsider the role. He said he told her that if he were in her position he would reconsider, and that she did not need to continue if it was not suitable.
Zacharia's first press briefing lasted under 15 minutes and covered only three questions. She largely read from notes and appeared uncomfortable. Subsequent scrutiny focused on her professional background, including claims related to her legal career. She later stated that she had not passed the bar exam.
White House officials confirmed that she is transitioning out of the press secretary role. Trump indicated she might continue working in the administration in another capacity.
The brief tenure is among the shortest for a White House press secretary in recent memory. Zacharia had been appointed to succeed Karoline Leavitt. Her departure comes amid ongoing questions about the administration's communications operation ahead of midterm elections.
Reports from major outlets including The New York Times, Reuters, CNN and the BBC detailed the sequence of events leading to her exit.