Trump's press secretary pick comes from Noem-Lewandowski era at DHS
President Donald Trump has tapped former Department of Homeland Security public affairs official Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary, a choice that caught current and former DHS officials who had worked with Zacharia off guard.
TL;DR
- Katie Zacharia, formerly of DHS, has been appointed White House press secretary by President Trump.
- Zacharia's previous role at DHS was as deputy spokeswoman, a position she held for a few weeks.
- Some former DHS officials described her as "full on MAGA" but lacking in departmental knowledge.
- She was reportedly brought to DHS by Corey Lewandowski and left amid fears of being fired.
- Zacharia's background includes being a conservative attorney, working for the World Bank in China, and engaging in Republican political campaigns.
- She has also branded herself as a paid Fox News commentator, though Fox News stated she had appeared as a guest.
- Her hiring at DHS was reportedly to be the "on-camera face of Trump’s immigration crackdown."