Zacharia oust raises question about importance of the White House press secretary

President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to part ways with White House press secretary Katie Zacharia less than a week after appointing her has raised questions about the importance of the position in an administration where the president frequently acts as his own spokesman.

Zacharia’s departure Friday followed a rocky debut behind the White House podium and a series of uncomfortable television interviews that raised questions about her preparation for the job and professional qualifications. But her short-lived tenure has also exposed a broader dilemma for the White House: what role should a traditional press secretary play in an administration where the president regularly communicates directly with reporters and voters, often getting ahead of his own spokespeople?