During a White House press briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt engaged in a contentious exchange with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins. The confrontation on Monday revolved around President Donald Trump's plans to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, following a judge's block of the administration's efforts.
The federal judge, a Trump appointee, halted the deployment over the weekend, questioning the connection between the troops' presence and the on-the-ground events in Portland. The ruling came after Oregon officials challenged the administration's actions legally.
Collins inquired about the president's anticipated response to the court's decision, particularly considering the ruling originated from a Trump-appointed judge. Her line of questioning visibly irked Leavitt, who retorted by advising Collins to personally investigate the Portland situation, accusing the media of misrepresenting the riots.
Leavitt emphasized the importance of independent journalism, hinting at future White House invitations to certain journalists who have documented the Portland riots firsthand. She challenged Collins to leverage her primetime slot on CNN to display the chaos occurring in Portland, arguing that the disturbances are far from peaceful protests.
The press secretary's remarks caused a stir among the press corps and escalated as Leavitt accused Collins of relying on biased information from local Democratic officials. She suggested that Collins also engage with Portland residents who have been voicing their frustrations over the ongoing unrest.
Video footage circulating on social media depicts violent encounters between black-clad protesters and police near a Portland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Demonstrations have involved arson, road blockades, and confrontations with law enforcement, causing sleepless nights and property damage for local residents, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Independent journalist Katie Daviscourt shared her assault by an alleged Antifa protester on social media, while another update revealed that a Portland resident pleaded guilty to attacking federal officers. The confrontation between Leavitt and Collins underscores the growing controversy over Trump's approach to addressing what his administration terms "lawlessness" in Democrat-led cities.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has vocally opposed the deployment of National Guard troops, framing it as an unwelcome invasion of his state without proper coordination. The situation in Portland remains tense, with both local and national implications.
