Did a Power Struggle Produce the "Shortest-Serving" White House Spokesperson? U.S. Media Reports

Chief of Staff Arranged Interview That Led to Spokesperson's Firing
White House in Turmoil Ahead of Midterms: "Blame Game Gathers Pace"

Media reports have said that Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff widely seen as the administration's real power broker, effectively set a trap for Katie Zachariah as she left her post after just five days amid controversy over allegations that she misrepresented her legal credentials. Zachariah was branded the "shortest-serving White House press secretary."

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) talks with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. AFP-Yonhap

On Oct. 17 (local time), Politico, a U.S. political news outlet, reported that Wiles was involved in arranging for Zachariah to appear on a Fox News program hosted by Sean Hannity, who is close to U.S. President Donald Trump, shortly before Zachariah left her post.

On Oct. 15, Hannity asked Zachariah about her inability to handle questions and answers properly at her first briefing, as well as how she had introduced herself as a lawyer without passing the bar exam. Zachariah said, in effect, that she had consulted a legal expert and was told she could call herself a lawyer.

Zachariah appeared on Fox News again on the morning of Oct. 16, but once more struggled to respond smoothly. She was dismissed that afternoon.

Citing anonymous sources, Politico reported that "Wiles and spokesperson Danielle Alvarez threw Zachariah to Hannity as prey." Another source described it as "a sanctioned hit approved by higher-ups."

Katie Zachariah, former White House spokesperson. AP Newsis

President Trump had chosen Zachariah to be White House press secretary. The decision, made with little consultation with Chief of Staff Wiles, sparked controversy inside the White House over "Wiles being bypassed." Wiles, nicknamed the "Ice Maiden," had enjoyed Trump's deep trust since before the presidential election, but the situation has changed recently. Rumors are openly circulating inside and outside the White House that Trump is looking for other candidates for chief of staff and asking people he trusts about Wiles' reputation. Many also believe that Trump will move to reorganize the White House depending on the midterm election results.

White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung rejected claims that Wiles was behind Zachariah's resignation, calling them "mere speculation" and "an uncreative work of fiction." He added, "Katie held a very important position and will continue to assist the president in her new role." Fox News also rejected claims that Wiles had been involved in arranging Zachariah's appearances, saying, "For more than 30 years, Hannity has chosen his interview subjects and the questions he asks them himself."

Politico wrote, "With the president's approval rating nearing historic lows and Republicans at risk of losing their majorities in both the House and Senate in the midterm elections, Zachariah's five-day tenure lays bare the turmoil inside the White House." It added, "The blame game is now in full swing, and aides are turning on one another, evoking the betrayals and infighting that came to define Trump's first administration."

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