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The White House has begun searching for a new chief spokesperson. Keti Zaxariya was removed from the press secretary post less than a week after being appointed. Her tenure is considered one of the shortest in the history of the position.
Several White House officials told media outlets that Zaxariya had been “fired” and was “in the process of leaving,” AnewZ reports. The statements indicate that her departure was not a voluntary resignation.
Zaxariya’s brief tenure was marked by questions about her professional background and difficulties with the media. The controversy began after President Donald Trump and Zaxariya herself cited her legal experience.
Journalists questioned her legal credentials. The issue intensified after Zaxariya acknowledged in a television interview that she had not passed a U.S. bar exam. She said she had worked in international commercial law, but the statement drew criticism. In the United States, law school graduates cannot practice law without admission to a state bar.
Zaxariya’s first White House briefing and subsequent television interviews also drew intense attention and criticism, adding to the pressure on her in her first days in the role.
On Friday, before leaving Washington for a weekend trip, Trump suggested that Zaxariya consider whether remaining in the position was worth the personal strain. The president told journalists he had said the job was difficult and advised her to reconsider whether she wanted to continue.
Trump presented this as concern for Zaxariya’s well-being, saying she had faced unfair treatment from some members of the media during her first week in the job. However, subsequent accounts based on statements from White House and administration officials said Zaxariya had not decided to leave and had been removed from the post.
Key post vacant ahead of midterm elections
The sudden departure has left the White House without its chief public spokesperson less than three weeks before the midterm elections to Congress. Communications are particularly important as the Trump administration seeks to promote its policy achievements and preserve Republican control of Congress.
According to reports, Trump initially selected Zaxariya for her ability to communicate his administration’s achievements more effectively and respond to media coverage he considered unfavorable.
Zaxariya had taken up the post only a few days earlier, replacing former press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Her departure after five days has prompted comparisons with the shortest tenures in White House communications history.
Anthony Scaramucci, who served as communications director in Trump’s first administration and remained in the role for just 10 days, commented: “Records are made to be broken.”
Trump said he was in no hurry to appoint a new press secretary. The White House will operate without a permanent press secretary as the administration seeks to refine its messaging strategy ahead of the midterm elections in November.
