White House press secretary Katie Zacharia and Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed face scrutiny

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed faced fresh scrutiny on Thursday after reporting revealed they are not licensed to practice in the professions they claim.

The revelations matter because they touch on the credibility of public officials whose authority often rests on assumed expertise. Both figures have built parts of their public personas on titles—lawyer and physician—that carry legal and ethical weight.

Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University with a law degree but has never been admitted to any state bar. She confirmed she failed the California bar exam and dismissed the result as "somewhat inconsequential" because she expected to work abroad.

“We just said, ‘Let’s take this time, and I’ll take the bar and see what happens,’” she told Real America’s Voice.

Despite the lack of licensure, she served as an associate at the Zhong Lun Law Firm in China and was later appointed White House press secretary, a role in which President Donald Trump previously referred to her as an attorney. A watchdog group filed a formal complaint with the State Bar of California seeking an investigation into whether Zacharia misrepresented herself as a lawyer.

El‑Sayed, a former medical school graduate, has repeatedly described himself as a physician and epidemiologist in public appearances, on LinkedIn, and during a recent televised debate. A review of Michigan and New York medical records, however, shows he has never been granted a medical license in either state.

“The perception in Michigan is that he is, at least at one point in his life, a licensed physician,” said Chris Dewitt, an unaligned Democratic strategist.

His statements have drawn criticism from opponents and raised questions about the accuracy of his campaign messaging.

Democratic commentators have highlighted the parallel controversies, suggesting a pattern of credential misrepresentation among high‑profile candidates. The focus has shifted from policy positions to personal qualifications, prompting calls for greater transparency in political biographies.

The California Bar complaint against Zacharia remains under review, and El‑Sayed’s campaign faces intensified media scrutiny as the election approaches. Both cases underscore the growing demand for elected officials to substantiate professional claims before the public.