Katie Zacharia Blames 'Hannity' Interview, Media for Her Firing
Katie Zacharia, whose time as White House press secretary lasted less than a week, is now pointing fingers over her sudden exit, and one of her targets is a familiar face on Fox News.
In her first extended interview since leaving the job, Zacharia blamed the media, Washington insiders and a tough interview on "Hannity" for her quick downfall.
"Not Prepared for the Hostility"
Zacharia appeared Tuesday on Newsmax with host Rob Finnerty, where she said she was "perplexed" by how Sean Hannity treated her during a Fox News interview shortly before she left the White House.
During that interview, Hannity pressed Zacharia on her legal credentials and social media posts that appeared to present her as an attorney. Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine's law school and later worked as an associate at a law firm in Beijing, but she never passed the bar exam, The Daily Beast reported.
Zacharia said she had a "very friendly rapport" with Hannity and that he had even defended her publicly after her first briefing. "I was not prepared for the hostility that I received," she said. At the time, Hannity had criticized the "abusively biased, corrupt news media," saying reporters were "out for blood" against her.
On the show, Zacharia tried to defend herself by saying she had called herself a "lawyer" but not an "attorney," The New Republic reported. She also appeared on "Fox & Friends" before her exit.
Zacharia added that Hannity's team had previously offered her a "man on the street" role in California covering Gov. Gavin Newsom. After her stint at DHS, she said, she pitched story ideas to the show but was never invited back. Then, once she was named press secretary, Fox reached out "aggressively."
When Finnerty asked whether she would still have her job if not for that interview, Zacharia said, "I would hope so," adding it "would be very likely," according to USA Today.
Blaming the Media and Washington
Zacharia said "the media and all of Washington" made her job extremely difficult, claiming that Washington "does not like outsiders."
"They would not let me do my job," she said, describing that job as focusing on President Donald Trump.
Finnerty suggested Fox may have been acting on behalf of someone inside the White House, noting that Hannity's Fox colleague Scott Jennings had reportedly been considered for the press secretary job. Zacharia did not endorse that theory.
Hannity Responds
Hannity has defended his questioning. He told The Hollywood Reporter that his audience knows where he stands, but that he will still ask tough questions when needed. He said he gave Zacharia time to tell her side of the story.
Fox News did not respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment about Zacharia's latest remarks.
A Short and Rocky Tenure
Trump named Zacharia to the high-profile role on Oct. 9. Her first press briefing quickly drew criticism, and within days she was facing questions about her legal credentials.
Advisers to the president have said Trump fired her on Oct. 16, though a senior White House official described her as "transitioning out" of the role. Zacharia, 41, had previously served as a deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
Despite everything, Zacharia said she would work for Trump again "in a heartbeat." She praised the president, saying he "saved this country," and said she has another opportunity lined up, though she did not say what it is.
"Look, I never back away from a fight," she said, hinting that a return to television, possibly even at Fox News, could be in her future.
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