Zacharia departing as press secretary
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Katie Zacharia is departing as White House press secretary, a person familiar with the matter said Friday, after a short and rocky tenure that was defined by questions about her professional background and lack of polish in fielding questions from journalists.
The person, granted anonymity to discuss a personnel decision not yet made public, said Zacharia would be transitioning out of the role. The shift comes after President Donald Trump cast significant doubt on her future earlier Friday, telling reporters that he would have a discussion with her following his weekend travel -- and that if he were her, he would reconsider the job.
Zacharia had come under immediate scrutiny when she appeared uncomfortable during her inaugural briefing on Tuesday, delivering halting remarks touting the president and his accomplishments. Her 14-minute briefing was followed by criticism that the conservative commentator had long called herself a lawyer when she had not passed a bar exam nor was otherwise credentialed to practice.