Trump selects Katie Zacharia as next White House press secretary
Katie Zacharia attends the Nashville premiere of "David" in Franklin
By Alayna Treene, Kaitlan Collins, Kristen Holmes, Betsy Klein, CNN
(CNN) — President Donald Trump has selected Katie Zacharia, a conservative commentator who worked briefly at the Department of Homeland Security, as his new press secretary, multiple White House officials told CNN.
“It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia,” he posted on social media later Friday, highlighting her work for Truth Social, the Trump Media & Technology Group and her frequent appearances on Fox and Newsmax.
“She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning,” he added.
Trump in recent days called a number of his close allies and advisers, including former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to seek their opinion of Zacharia, a person familiar with the discussions said. And the president sought Leavitt’s counsel before making a final decision and offering Zacharia the position, they said.
CNN has reached out to Zacharia, who was in the Oval Office with Trump earlier Friday morning, according to a person familiar.
Zacharia’s selection came about quickly. As of last week, she was not being considered for the role, another person familiar said.
Throughout the search to replace Leavitt, the White House struggled with higher-profile names, several of whom had previously criticized Trump. On multiple occasions, senior officials had narrowed down the list, only to find that candidates had said something negative about the president, disqualifying them from the position, according a White House official.
Zacharia’s been a frequent guest on Fox, Newsmax and CNN. “She has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
She’s served as a senior communications adviser at the Trump Media and Technology Group and Truth Social since June, which followed a two-month stint as a senior official at the Department of Homeland Security — experiences that Trump also highlighted in his social media post, along with her work in his campaigns.
Zacharia, who has young children and lives in California, commuted back and forth to Washington when she was filling in at DHS. At the time, she told a friend the commute was not sustainable, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Zacharia has also served as a legal adviser for Fix California, a conservative group founded by Trump ally Richard Grenell.
She first came to Washington as an intern for the Republican National Committee during the George W. Bush administration in 2006.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
The-CNN-Wire
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