Karoline Leavitt strongly condemned Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for calling ICE agents “wannabe Nazis” and threatening arrests, defended ICE’s role in protecting Americans, tied border policy failures to violent crime, and confirmed President Trump’s rescheduled trip to China while addressing issues from Iran to a partial government shutdown.
At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t hold back when she called the DA’s remarks “disgraceful.” She framed the comments as an attack on people doing difficult frontline work and said those remarks deserve public pushback from leaders who respect law enforcement.
The briefing included a clear defense of ICE staffers, who Leavitt described as performing humanitarian tasks like handing out water and helping people navigate crowded travel hubs. She emphasized that criticizing those workers without understanding their duties ignores the broader mission of removing violent criminals from the country.
Arrest them for what?!
He’s talking to the ICE agents who are handing out water bottles and are helping people move through lines at airports.
It’s a disgraceful comment.
The men and women of ICE are great people. I would encourage this lawmaker, whose name I don’t know and don’t care to know, to actually sit down and speak with the ICE agents who are on the ground doing this important work, not just in our nation’s airports, but again, to remove violent, dangerous, illegal alien criminals from our country to protect this individual, and all of us in this room, and Americans across the country from murderers, pedophiles, and rapists who have been allowed into our country by Democrat politicians.
Leavitt used pointed language to connect lax border and immigration enforcement to real-world consequences, citing recent tragedies to underscore the stakes. She asked a straightforward question about how many more Americans must fall victim to policy failures before those policies are reversed.
The briefing ranged far beyond the DA flap, moving into foreign policy and domestic governance with the same direct tone. When asked about Iran, Leavitt stressed the administration’s focus on protecting U.S. interests and staying ahead of regional threats while coordinating with allies.
She also addressed the political friction over funding the Department of Homeland Security, blaming the Schumer-led partial shutdown on Democrats’ refusal to prioritize border and homeland security. Leavitt argued that withholding funds jeopardizes essential operations and hurts frontline personnel working to keep communities safe.
On domestic law-and-order issues, Leavitt referenced the murder of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman in Chicago as emblematic of the consequences of weak immigration controls. She tied that case to a broader narrative about priorities and public safety, urging a return to policies that prioritize Americans’ security.
The press secretary pushed back on media narratives suggesting a split between President Trump and his close allies, describing JD Vance as still very much in the president’s inner circle. She portrayed the administration as unified on national security, immigration, and the broader America First agenda.
Leavitt also announced a rescheduled state visit: “will also host President Xi and Madame Peng for a reciprocal visit in Washington, D.C. at a later date, to be announced this year.” That diplomatic move was presented as part of a deliberate, reciprocal approach to managing U.S.-China relations.
The briefing included a link to the full press event in a public video format for those who want the full context; an embedded clip follows for reference.
Throughout, Leavitt leaned into a tough-on-crime, law-and-order message that put responsibility on political leaders who control enforcement policy. Her approach was blunt and pointed, matching the tone of conservatives who prioritize secure borders and support the officers charged with enforcing the law.
The briefing made clear the administration’s priorities: defend law enforcement, press for meaningful border security, and pursue a disciplined foreign policy while holding Democrats accountable for what the press secretary called failures that endanger Americans. The rhetoric was sharp and unapologetic, aimed at rallying support for stricter enforcement and clearer priorities in Washington.
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