Pepperdine Alumna Katie Zacharia Named New White House Press Secretary

Pepperdine alumna Katie Zacharia ('07, JD '11) has been appointed the next White House press secretary, as announced by president Donald Trump this afternoon.

Zacharia is currently involved as a member of the Dean’s Council at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. She previously served as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs for the US Department of Homeland Security before transitioning to her role as a senior communications advisor at Trump Media & Technology Group. Additionally, she was a commentator on Fox News and Newsmax and served as director of development for special projects at Pepperdine from 2023 to 2025. 

In a social media post shared on X, Zacharia expressed her appreciation to the president, writing, “Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime.”

Before taking on this prominent role, Zacharia also served as general counsel for the nonprofit Fix California. After graduating with a degree in political science and government from Seaver College, as a Pepperdine law student Zacharia interned at the White House during president George ​W. Bush's administration. She also was a research assistant to Pepperdine president and CEO Jim Gash (JD ’93) during his tenure as professor of law at the Caruso School of Law. 

Paul Caron, Duane and Kelly Roberts dean and professor of law at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, wrote in an Instagram post, “Congratulations to Katie Zacharia on her appointment as White House press secretary. I will be praying for Katie as she takes on such an important public service role.”