Karoline Leavitt on Government Shutdown, Zohran Mamdani, and Putin Call

Government Shutdown and Federal Layoffs

• 🏛️ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticizes a Clinton-appointed judge for issuing a nationwide temporary restraining order halting federal layoffs during the government shutdown.
• ⚖️ Leavitt argues the president has constitutional authority to hire and fire executive branch employees, and that the judge is acting politically.
• 🛑 The administration is fighting the restraining order to reopen the government and get federal workers back to work.

Reaction to Zohran Mamdani Interview

• 🗣️ Leavitt condemns New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for refusing to call for Hamas to lay down their weapons.
• 🚩 She states that the Democrat party's constituency includes "Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals."
• 🕊️ Leavitt contrasts this with President Trump's efforts to bring peace to the Middle East and free hostages from Gaza.

Obamacare Tax Credits and Government Funding

• 🏥 Democrats are reportedly demanding an extension of enhanced Obamacare tax credits in exchange for reopening the government.
• 🤝 Senator John Thune offered Democrats a vote on these tax credits if they agree to reopen the government.
• 🇺🇸 Leavitt reiterates the White House's stance: Democrats should vote to reopen the government, and then serious conversations about healthcare, immigration, and the economy can occur.

Call with Vladimir Putin

• 📞 Leavitt confirms a productive call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• 🤝 They discussed peace in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war, agreeing to convene high-level staff meetings.
• 🇺🇦 President Trump is also scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to continue discussions on the conflict.

ICE Arrest of Illegal Alien Police Officer

• 🚨 Leavitt reacts to the arrest of an illegal alien from Montenegro working as a sworn police officer in Hanover Park, Illinois, as part of Operation Midway Blitz.
• 🛂 She states this is an unsurprising example of the consequences of the Biden administration's neglect of immigration laws.
• 👮 The Department of Homeland Security is commended for its work despite federal law enforcement not being paid due to the shutdown.