By Gloria Ogbonna
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sharply criticized White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday, accusing her of misrepresenting Democratic rhetoric in the wake of a shooting near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Speaking during a press conference, Jeffries labeled Leavitt a “stone-cold liar” and accused her of parroting partisan talking points instead of addressing the broader issue of political violence. His comments came amid heightened tensions in Washington following gunfire that erupted Saturday night near the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, prompting a swift evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several Cabinet officials from the Washington Hilton.
Reporter Questions Tone of Language
During Monday’s press event, a reporter asked Jeffries whether, given the recent violence and the threats public officials routinely face, it might be appropriate to temper certain political language — including his own prior remark describing the current political climate as “maximum warfare.”
“I know you said you stand by your comment,” the reporter said, “but at the same time you have been a subject of threats as well, so, with respect to this comment about maximum warfare, even if it’s about redistricting, why not tone down the language here, in this moment?”
Jeffries responded forcefully, defending his words and turning his criticism toward the White House.
“I think that what’s interesting to me, as you’ve pointed out, is that the so-called White House press secretary — who’s a disgrace — she’s a stone-cold liar, had the nerve to stand up there and read talking points, being critical of statements — all taken out of context — that Democrats have made,” Jeffries said. He also argued that Leavitt failed to mention what he described as inflammatory remarks made by “MAGA extremists.”
Leavitt Calls for Rhetoric to Be Lowered
Jeffries’ remarks followed Leavitt’s own press conference earlier in the day, in which she called on political leaders and the media to “tone down the rhetoric” after a gunman opened fire near the Washington Hilton on Saturday night.
Leavitt cited President Trump’s comments from the evening of the incident, saying the country must “re-commit ourselves, as a country, to toning down the rhetoric and unifying around what makes our country great.”
She argued that repeated characterizations of the president as an “existential threat to democracy” could contribute to a volatile environment.
“When you have mentally disturbed individuals across the country who are listening to this crazed rhetoric about the president, day after day after day, it inspires them to do crazy things,” Leavitt said. “Unfortunately, it’s not just the media. It is the entire Democrat Party that has made their pitch to voters across the country that Donald Trump poses an existential threat to democracy — that he is a fascist and that they compare him to Hitler.”
Democrats’ Statements Cited
Leavitt went on to cite specific remarks from several Democratic leaders, including Jeffries himself, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Alex Padilla, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
“Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, just this April — this month — said, ‘We are in an era of maximum warfare everywhere, all the time,’” Leavitt stated. She also quoted Shapiro as saying “Heads need to roll within the administration,” Padilla as claiming “People are dying because of fear and terror caused by the Trump administration,” and Warren as asserting that “President Trump is making the country look like a fascist state.”
https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2048860031148265907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Leavitt argued that such language contributes to a charged political climate and urged leaders from both parties to consider the broader consequences of their words.
Escalating Political Tensions
The exchange underscores the deepening divide between Democratic leaders and the Trump administration over responsibility for political rhetoric and its potential consequences. While both sides have publicly condemned violence, they remain at odds over whether harsh political criticism contributes to instability — and who bears the greater responsibility for setting a calmer tone.
HOLY CRAP! Karoline Leavitt is calling out Democrats BY NAME who SPARKED the rhetoric leading to Saturday's attempt on President Trump's life
🔵 "Rep Hakeem Jeffrey just THIS MONTH said, 'we are in an era of maximum warfare everywhere all the time.'"
🔵 "Governor Josh Shapiro… pic.twitter.com/hy0vXB3t8K
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 27, 2026
As investigations into Saturday’s shooting continue, calls for unity and restraint have been issued across the political spectrum. However, Monday’s back-and-forth between Jeffries and the White House suggests that, even in moments of crisis, partisan tensions remain high in Washington.
Source Breitbart
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