Karoline Leavitt Stumbles When Pressed on Trump’s Call for Harsh Punishment Against Democrats

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared visibly unsettled on Thursday after being asked about President Donald Trump’s latest inflammatory comments — a post in which he suggested that certain Democratic lawmakers should face punishment “by death.”

Earlier in the day, Trump took to Truth Social and accused several Democratic members of Congress — all military veterans — of “seditious behavior.” His post escalated quickly, declaring that such actions are “punishable by DEATH.” The president also re-shared a supporter’s message that read, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”

When the afternoon press briefing began, reporters immediately seized on the remarks. One journalist directly asked Leavitt:
“Does the president want to execute members of Congress?”

Leavitt rejected the premise but struggled to explain further.

“No,” she said. “Let’s be clear about what the president is responding to. Many in this room want to focus on the president’s reaction, but not on what prompted it.” She then pivoted away from the issue without clarifying what she meant or addressing Trump’s explicit language.

The tense exchange unfolded just minutes after several former presidents arrived in Washington for the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who died earlier this month.

Later in the day, President Trump was also scheduled to meet with recently freed Israeli hostages and their families during a gathering in the State Dining Room — an event now overshadowed by yet another controversial social-media outburst.