Karoline Leavitt on Government Shutdown, Putin Call, and Border Security

Press Gaggle on Government Shutdown

• ⚠️ Karoline Leavitt addresses reporters, highlighting the ongoing government shutdown now on its 16th day.
• 🎯 Leavitt criticizes Democrats for voting to keep the government closed and holding the American people hostage.
• ✈️ The shutdown has led to thousands of flights being delayed or canceled, impacting travelers, especially during the holiday season.
• 💰 Efforts have been made to keep essential services running, including using tariff revenue for WIC and finding creative solutions to pay troops.

Productive Call with President Putin

• 📞 A productive call between President Trump and President Putin lasted over two hours, discussing various issues.
• 🕊️ President Putin congratulated President Trump for bringing peace to the Middle East and thanked the First Lady for her efforts in rescuing children.
• 🤝 Progress was made, and a high-level senior staff meeting is scheduled for the following week, potentially followed by a meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest.
• 🇺🇦 President Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit the White House the next day to continue discussions.

Foreign Policy Accomplishments

• 🌟 Leavitt credits President Trump with major foreign policy accomplishments, including historic peace in the Middle East and the return of hostages from Gaza.
• 🌍 These achievements were considered by many to be impossible, demonstrating Trump's commitment to diplomacy.

Addressing Drug Cartels and Illegitimate Regimes

• 🚢 The administration is taking unprecedented steps against drug cartels trafficking illicit substances into the U.S.
• 🚫 Classified videos of strikes are being declassified to inform the public and lawmakers about these actions.
• 🇻🇪 President Trump views Nicolas Maduro as an illegitimate president leading a regime that has long trafficked drugs to the U.S.

Legal Challenges and Executive Authority

• ⚖️ Leavitt strongly condemns a recent court ruling that blocked the president's ability to implement layoffs, calling it politically motivated.
• 🏛️ She asserts that the Supreme Court has previously affirmed the president's executive authority to hire and fire within the executive branch.
• 🚫 The ruling is seen as an obstacle created by partisan politics, with confidence expressed in winning the case on legal merits.
• 📉 Layoffs are described as an unfortunate consequence of the Democrat-led shutdown.