Trump appoints Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary

President Donald Trump has offered conservative media commentator Katie Zacharia the position of White House press secretary, a White House official confirmed to TheWrap on Friday. Zacharia would succeed Karoline Leavitt, who left the role in August, and would bring experience from advising Trump Media and Technology Group and frequent appearances on Fox News. Leavitt is preparing to join the network as a contributor next month, and her departure has opened the top communications post for a new leader.

Zacharia would inherit a White House press operation that is currently facing a legal battle over media access. The administration has expanded access for podcasters and influencers while fighting CNN, MS NOW and Politico in federal court over restrictions on their press credentials. A federal judge on Thursday extended an order temporarily blocking Trump’s ban on the outlets, allowing them to retain their credentials while he considers longer-term protections. Judge Timothy Kelly expects to rule by Tuesday, Oct. 13, on the outlets’ request for a preliminary injunction, and the dispute remains unresolved as the White House prepares for a potential change in its top communications post.

Read the full story at TheWrap.