Trump Picks Katie Zacharia as New White House Press Secretary
Katie Zacharia, a former Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, will replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, President Donald Trump has announced.
President Donald Trump has selected Katie Zacharia, a former spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, to serve as the next White House press secretary. She will replace Karoline Leavitt, who has held the role since the start of Trump's second term.
The appointment places Zacharia at the centre of the administration's communications operation, where she will be responsible for delivering the White House's message to the press and the public. Her brief tenure at the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year gives her direct experience of the national security and immigration issues that have dominated Trump's domestic agenda.
Zacharia previously worked as a communications aide to Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, before joining the Department of Homeland Security. Her background in both state-level politics and federal security messaging is likely to inform her approach to the briefing room, where she will face questions on a wide range of policy areas.
Karoline Leavitt, who became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when she took the job, will step down from the position. Leavitt had been a prominent defender of the president's policies and a frequent presence on television and at the podium. Her departure marks the first major change in the White House communications team since Trump returned to office.
The role of press secretary has historically been one of the most visible positions in any administration, serving as the primary liaison between the president and the White House press corps. The appointment comes as the administration continues to push its legislative priorities and manage a series of foreign and domestic challenges.
Zacharia's selection was confirmed by sources familiar with the decision, though no formal announcement has yet been made by the White House. She is expected to assume her duties in the coming weeks, ahead of what is likely to be a busy period for the administration's communications shop.
The change at the podium is unlikely to signal a shift in the administration's overall messaging strategy, which has remained focused on immigration enforcement, economic nationalism and a confrontational approach to the mainstream media. Zacharia's experience at the Department of Homeland Security suggests she is well-versed in the administration's hardline stance on border security, a central theme of Trump's political identity.
Her appointment also highlights the continued influence of former South Dakota officials in the current White House. Kristi Noem, who was once seen as a potential running mate for Trump, has remained a loyal ally, and her former staffers have found roles across the administration.
The White House press secretary position has been held by a series of high-profile figures in recent years, each bringing a distinct style to the briefing room. Leavitt's tenure was marked by combative exchanges with reporters and a staunch defence of the president's agenda. Zacharia will be expected to maintain that combative posture while also managing the daily flow of information from the administration.
As the administration prepares for upcoming budget negotiations and continues to navigate international crises, the press secretary will play a critical role in shaping public perception. Zacharia's first days on the job will be closely watched for signals about how she intends to handle the press and whether she will adopt a more conciliatory tone or continue the aggressive approach favoured by her predecessor.
The appointment is effective immediately, according to people familiar with the matter, and Zacharia has already begun transitioning into the role. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
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