White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sparked controversy during a June 11 press briefing when she sharply rebuked a reporter who questioned President Donald Trump’s stance on peaceful protests during Saturday’s military parade in Washington, D.C.
The heated exchange occurred when Jasmine Wright of NOTUS asked Leavitt to clarify what kind of protest Trump would find acceptable. The reporter’s inquiry came after Trump warned on Tuesday that anyone protesting at his birthday military parade would be met with “very heavy force.”
Leavitt initially responded that Trump absolutely supports peaceful protests and the First Amendment, stating he supports the right of Americans to make their voices heard. She emphasized that he does not support violence of any kind or assaulting law enforcement officers who are trying to do their jobs.
When Wright pressed for further clarification, asking specifically whether peaceful protests would be allowed during Saturday’s military parade, Leavitt’s demeanor shifted dramatically. She replied that the president supports peaceful protests before adding, “What a stupid question.”
The reporter appeared visibly shocked at the treatment, according to multiple sources present at the briefing. Leavitt was observed grinning after making her remark before quickly moving on to the next question during the 26-minute briefing.
The military parade on Saturday, June 14, marked the Army’s 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday. The $45 million event in Washington, D.C. featured displays of military hardware and thousands of soldiers along Constitution Avenue and at the Ellipse.
Trump’s warning about protesters came during Tuesday’s remarks from the Oval Office, where he indicated that anyone wanting to protest would face very big force. He characterized potential protesters as people who hate the country, though he noted he had not heard about any planned protests at the time, even though the “No Kings” movement was widely publicized.
The exchange occurred amid ongoing nationwide protests against immigration enforcement raids, with demonstrations appearing in major cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. During Tuesday’s briefing, Leavitt displayed photographs of burning cars to justify Trump’s decision to federalize California’s National Guard and deploy U.S. Marines to address unrest in Los Angeles.
Leavitt argued that Trump deployed federal forces after seeing images of foreign flags being waved by what she termed illegal criminals and violent rioters amid scenes of cars exploding and flames in the city. She reported that nearly 400 individuals had been arrested in the riots since June 6, including hundreds who allegedly assaulted law enforcement officers.
Among those arrested, Leavitt highlighted one case involving an individual from Mexico who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement officers during riots in Paramount on Saturday. That person now faces attempted murder charges, according to the press secretary.
The confrontational briefing style represents a pattern for Leavitt, who previously made headlines for similar exchanges with reporters. The 27-year-old became the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary when she assumed the role following Trump’s return to office.
Organizers with the “No Kings” movement held demonstrations across the country to coincide with Saturday’s military parade and concert. However, planners strongly discouraged potential demonstrators from protesting in Washington, D.C., where robust security measures were in place, including fencing around the White House, Capitol, and certain roadways.
Instead, organizers encouraged people to protest in Philadelphia or suburban Maryland and Virginia rather than in the nation’s capital.
California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s authority to federalize the state’s National Guard without the governor’s consent. The legal action represents the latest escalation in tensions between the federal government and Democratic-led states over immigration enforcement operations. The lawsuit is being deliberated by an appeals court.
The June 11 briefing exchange was captured on video and quickly circulated on social media platforms, drawing attention to the increasingly tense relationship between the Trump administration and members of the White House press corps.
