WASHINGTON – In her first White House briefing room appearance, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt supported President Donald Trump’s intentions to cut federal spending and its mass deportation activities.
The youngest White House press secretary, Leavitt, was frequently questioned about the decision to abruptly suspend federal help on Monday night. She said that the most recent acts by Trump’s administration are merely carrying out a commitment that the American people made when they elected him.
“Being good stewards of tax dollars is what this pause is focused on,” she said.
Leavitt frequently emphasized that the federal aid halt does not extend to individual help and stated that it is not a general halt to federal assistance and grant programs. She said, “I’ll check back on that,” when asked specifically if she could guarantee that no Medicaid beneficiary would lose coverage.
Medicaid payments seemed to be suspended. Tuesday, as nationwide access to web portals was restricted. Nearly 80 million Americans are covered in part by the federal health monies that are managed by the Medicaid websites.
After the briefing, Leavitt wrote on X that the Medicaid systems that had been unavailable due to the pause would soon be operational again.
When asked whether specific programs would be impacted, Leavitt said she had not yet seen the White House Office of Management and Budget’s complete list but would share it shortly.
By allowing independent and new media journalists and social media content makers to create news-related media, Leavitt also hinted to a change in the Trump administration’s approach to press operations.
Delivered to a crowded room, the statement is expected to challenge long-standing conventions within the James S. Brady briefing room that have given preference to legacy media outlets.
According to precedent, the Associated Press is asked the first question during the briefing. This time, Leavitt started by asking Axios’ Mike Allen, who was seated in the room normally inhabited by the press secretary’s staff, the first question. Her second query was directed at Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle, who was sitting next to Allen.
In order to give outlets that were not previously given a seat in the seating arrangements for reporters and correspondents attending the daily briefings and press conferences a prominent position, Leavitt stated that these seats would be open to new media reporters going forward. In an attempt to increase its vote share, the Trump campaign employed a similar tactic by utilizing podcasts and non-traditional media, which President Donald Trump has attributed to his success in winning over younger Americans.
Leavitt stated on Tuesday that he was proud to welcome new media voices into this room in order to reach as many Americans as possible with the President’s message. We’ll make sure that well-known and reputable outlets like yours, Axios, and Breitbart have a real place in this room each and every day.
In addition, Leavitt vowed to restore more than 400 White House press passes that had been revoked under the previous administration and sought applications from independent journalists and others to create what she described as news-related content.
“If you are creating authentic news content, regardless of whether you are a blogger, podcaster, or TikTok content creator, you will be able to apply for press credentials to this White House,” she continued.
I hear you, Leavitt said as he answered questions from reporters sat far back in the room. “I’m happy to answer your question,” she added, adding that the back row hasn’t received much attention in the previous four years.
Two weeks ago, Allen famously told Vanity Fair: We implore our correspondents to never attend a White House press briefing. You lost a significant portion of your day.
Correspondents Brian Glenn of Right Side Broadcasting Network and Natalie Winters of Bannon’s War Room were also there. Leavitt visited 20 establishments in 47 minutes, according to an unofficial count by George Condon of the National Journal. This included inquiries from The Grio, the conservative Daily Caller, and the mainstream print, wire, and broadcast media.
The result was a dramatic change intended to establish an immediate contrast with the previous government, extending the new White House’s week of shock and awe.
Leavitt began the briefing with a statement that President Trump personally shared with me in the Oval Office on the shocking, inexplicable drone sightings off the coast of New Jersey last year.
Following investigation and analysis, the FAA approved the use of the drones flying over New Jersey for research and other purposes, according to Leavitt.
In response to NBC News’s report that roughly half of the immigrants detained on Sunday had no criminal histories, Leavitt stated that while ICE should prioritize criminals, it does not rule out other illegal criminals who have crossed our country’s borders.
She went on to say that people who overstay their visas could also be deported.
When asked why career Justice Department attorneys who contributed to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations of Trump were fired, Leavitt responded that since Trump is the head of the executive branch, he may fire anyone in the branch he wants.
Leavitt also promised reporters that she and Trump would communicate with them as frequently as possible, although she did not specify how frequently.
The best spokesperson this White House has, she said, is Trump, who has fielded hundreds of questions from media since taking office last week in the Oval Office, on Air Force One, and at other occasions.