Katie Zacharia

Katie Black was born on March 23, 1984 in Los Angeles.^[2] She attended Pepperdine University, graduating from its liberal arts college in 2007 and from its law school in 2011.^[3] At Pepperdine, she served as the president of its chapter of College Republicans.^[4] Zacharia interned for the Republican National Committee in 2006.^[5] She served as an assistant to Pepperdine's president, Andrew K. Benton, from 2007 to 2008 and was a research assistant to Jim Gash.^[3]

After graduating from Pepperdine University,^[6] Zacharia spent three years in China, where she worked as an outside counsel for the World Bank Group.^[7] She served as president of the Christian Legal Society and worked in the White House Office of Political Affairs.^[7] By September 2025, Zacharia had worked as the legal counsel for Fix California, a political organization; served on the board of advisors for White Rose Resistance, an anti-abortion advocacy group; and was a member of the Pepperdine University School of Law's dean council. She had additionally served as a director of development for special projects at Pepperdine University.^[3]

Zacharia became the assistant secretary of homeland security for public affairs in February 2026. She left the position in April.^[8] According to CNN, Zacharia, who lived in California, told an associate that commuting to the Department of Homeland Security's headquarters in Washington, D.C., was not sustainable.^[5] By October, Zacharia had become a communications advisor to the Trump Media and Technology Group.^[9]

On October 9, 2026, President Donald Trump named Zacharia as the White House press secretary.^[10]

Zacharia married Tyler Zacharia in 2011 and they have four children.^[11] Tyler is a film producer who helped produce Young Washington, David, and The Irishman.^[12]