Katie Zacharia has been offered the job of White House press secretary, according to the New York Post, setting up a possible return to Washington months after she left the Department of Homeland Security.
The frequent Fox News guest would replace Karoline Leavitt, who left in August to spend more time with her family following the May 1 birth of her second child.
For Zacharia, a mother of four, accepting the offer would mean stepping into a demanding public role after citing family concerns in her departure from DHS. She told Just the News that commuting from California had put a strain on her family.
The press secretary faces reporters during televised White House briefings and makes regular TV appearances to explain and defend the administration’s positions.
Zacharia brings Republican political experience dating to her years at Pepperdine University, when she interned for the Republican National Committee. She also worked in the White House Office of Political Affairs during President George W. Bush’s second term.
She currently works at Fix California, an organization founded by Trump special envoy Ric Grenell to advance conservative priorities in the state.
Her ties to Grenell and figures from her brief DHS tenure could also complicate relationships within President Donald Trump’s inner circle.
Zacharia spent about three months at DHS earlier this year, departing after Markwayne Mullin took over as secretary in March. During her time there, she was reportedly close to then-Secretary Kristi Noem and her special adviser, Corey Lewandowski.
Both Lewandowski and Grenell have a long-standing dislike of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, according to the Post, potentially adding another source of tension if Zacharia takes the job.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]