White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Rebukes Reporters During Contentious Briefing, Announces Major Immigration and Security Updates

In a fiery exchange outside the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confronted members of the press for unruly behavior during a gaggle with two senior Trump administration officials. The confrontation came as National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff attempted to brief the media on current foreign policy issues but were interrupted by a chaotic flurry of shouted questions.

As the volume escalated, Leavitt stepped forward to call for order.

“Guys, please. Let’s act like adults here,” Leavitt said, visibly frustrated. “They are generously offering their time to answer your questions. You don’t need to scream at them like a bunch of school children.”

The encounter quickly spread across social media, with some applauding Leavitt for demanding civility, while others criticized the White House’s handling of media relations.

Immigration Flights to Guantanamo Bay Underway

Later in the day, Leavitt appeared on Fox Business to announce a major development in the Trump administration’s immigration policy: the first repatriation flights carrying undocumented migrants to Guantanamo Bay have officially begun.

“This president is serious about securing our borders and restoring law and order,” Leavitt told host Stuart Varney. “He’s no longer going to allow America to be a dumping ground for violent illegal criminals from all over the world.”

Leavitt emphasized that several foreign governments are cooperating with the new repatriation measures, including Venezuela and Colombia.

“Venezuela has agreed to receive their nationals back, and Colombia has also committed to assisting with the repatriation of undocumented individuals currently in the U.S. interior,” she said. “And I can confirm today that flights to Guantanamo Bay with illegal migrants are already underway.”

Though controversial, the administration argues that the use of Guantanamo Bay for temporary migrant holding is a stopgap measure until proper deportation channels are completed.

Response to Governor Murphy’s Comments

The press secretary also took aim at New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, who recently stirred debate by suggesting he would consider housing an undocumented immigrant in his personal residence. Murphy has since walked back the statement, clarifying that it was not a formal offer.

“This administration will hold Democrat governors and public officials accountable if they violate federal immigration law,” Leavitt said. “If they harbor illegal aliens or ignore federal mandates, they will be subject to legal consequences.”

COVID-19 Origins Back in Focus

Leavitt also addressed renewed scrutiny over the origins of COVID-19, referencing recent comments by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who reaffirmed his belief that the virus likely originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.

Speaking during a White House press briefing, Leavitt criticized what she described as years of media denial and government inaction.

“For years, President Trump and many conservatives were mocked for suggesting the virus may have leaked from a lab in Wuhan,” she said. “Now, even the Biden administration’s former intelligence officials are beginning to acknowledge what we knew all along.”

Ratcliffe elaborated on the issue in an interview with Breitbart News, saying the intelligence community has sat “on the sidelines” for far too long.

“One of my top priorities is to deal with the foreign threats to our national security—and that begins with China,” Ratcliffe stated. “I’ve said before, and I stand by it: our science, intelligence, and common sense all point to a lab leak as the origin of COVID-19.”

He also expressed frustration with the CIA’s lack of a public stance on the issue.

“It’s unacceptable that the agency has yet to make a formal assessment,” he said. “We owe the American people transparency and truth.”

A New Tone from the Podium

The confrontational tone from Leavitt signals a more assertive approach to dealing with the media, immigration, and foreign policy. Since stepping into the role of press secretary, she has become a vocal defender of President Trump’s agenda as the 2024 campaign season intensifies.

Her recent comments—and the administration’s renewed focus on border enforcement and international threats—make it clear that the White House is doubling down on promises of national security and accountability.

“We’re taking action. The days of weakness on the world stage and open borders at home are over,” Leavitt concluded.