Karoline Leavitt

White House Press Secretary - Defending administration's position

For 118 years, the National Governors Association brought state leaders of both parties to the White House for working sessions with the president. That ended this week when President Trump limited invitations to Republicans only, prompting the organization's Republican chairman to withdraw it from the event entirely. Eighteen Democratic governors announced a boycott of the traditional White House dinner, and two governors—Maryland's Wes Moore and Colorado's Jared Polis—were excluded from all events without explanation.

Updated Feb 11

White House Press Secretary - Defending the administration’s sequencing: demolition now, approvals later

The legal and procedural challenges intensified in late January as federal Judge Richard Leon signaled deep skepticism of the administration's claim that the president can tear down "an icon that's a national institution" and fund reconstruction with $400 million in private donations. At a January 22 hearing on the National Trust's request for a preliminary injunction, Leon questioned whether Trump has legal authority to proceed and called the private-funding mechanism a "Rube Goldberg contraption." He's expected to rule in February. Three days later, Trump declared on Truth Social that "IT IS TOO LATE" to stop the project, claiming materials including structural steel, marble, and bulletproof glass have already been lined up.

Updated Jan 29

White House Press Secretary - Defending Trump's Greenland acquisition agenda

The United States has operated military bases in Greenland since 1941, under agreements with Denmark. On January 15, 2026, NATO allies deployed troops to the island to counter U.S. pressure after American-Danish talks collapsed. On January 17, President Trump announced 10% tariffs on eight European countries—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom—rising to 25% by June unless 'a deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.' On January 20, Trump declared on Truth Social that 'there can be no going back' on Greenland, calling it 'imperative for National and World Security.' That same day, Denmark deployed its Army Chief, General Peter Boysen, alongside 58 additional troops to Greenland, bringing total Danish military presence to approximately 178 personnel for Operation Arctic Endurance.

Updated Jan 21

White House Press Secretary - Defending Trump administration’s attacks on labor statistics and signaling missing October data may never be released

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points on December 10, 2025, in a deeply divided 9–3 vote—the most dissents in six years—bringing the funds rate to 3.5–3.75%. Minutes released December 30 revealed the decision was 'finely balanced,' with officials split over whether weak hiring or stubborn inflation poses the greater risk. The delayed BLS report released December 16 showed the economy lost 105,000 jobs in October and added only 64,000 in November, while unemployment climbed to 4.6%, the highest since September 2021. Combined with the November ADP report showing a 32,000 private-sector job loss concentrated in small businesses, the data confirmed the labor market weakened sharply in late 2025.

Updated Jan 2