In a fiery interview on Fox News’ America Reports on April 23, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized congressional Democrats, accusing them of prioritizing the interests of illegal immigrants, including alleged gang members, over the safety and well-being of American citizens. The remarks, which have sparked intense debate across political and media circles, reflect the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on immigration and its ongoing efforts to reshape the national conversation around border security. Leavitt’s comments, delivered with characteristic intensity, underscore the administration’s commitment to its “America First” agenda and have reignited tensions with Democrats, who argue that the administration’s policies are overly punitive and divisive.

The interview followed a series of high-profile White House press briefings in which Leavitt has consistently defended President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, including mass deportation efforts and stringent border security measures. Her appearance on America Reports came in the wake of reports that Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland was considering traveling to El Salvador to advocate for Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident deported by the Trump administration due to suspected ties to the MS-13 gang. Leavitt seized on this development to lambast Democrats, calling their actions “mind-boggling” and “atrocious.”

“It’s mind-boggling, the priorities of the modern-day Democrat Party,” Leavitt said during the interview. “I think it’s atrocious that you have Democrats in Congress on Capitol Hill, who swear an oath to protect their constituents and to serve them in Washington, DC, spending more time defending illegal immigrant gang members than their own constituents and law-abiding American citizens.” Her remarks were met with enthusiastic agreement from America Reports hosts, who echoed her sentiment that Democrats have lost sight of their duty to prioritize American interests.

Leavitt’s criticism was rooted in the case of Abrego Garcia, whom the Trump administration deported to El Salvador, where he is currently detained in the country’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a mega-prison designed to hold gang members and other high-risk inmates. According to Fox News, Senator Van Hollen’s potential trip to El Salvador was motivated by concerns over Abrego Garcia’s detention, with the senator describing him as a “Maryland dad” and questioning the evidence linking him to MS-13. The Trump administration, however, has maintained that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was justified, with Leavitt and other officials emphasizing that his illegal entry into the United States and alleged gang affiliations made him a priority for removal.

The White House’s position aligns with President Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which has been a cornerstone of his second term. Since taking office on January 20, 2025, Trump has issued executive orders to expedite deportations, declare a national emergency at the southern border, and impose a freeze on federal grants and loans—a move Leavitt has defended as necessary to redirect resources toward domestic priorities. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), over 3,500 undocumented immigrants have been arrested since Trump’s inauguration, with Leavitt asserting that all are “criminals” by virtue of their illegal entry into the country. This stance has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and immigration advocates, who argue that equating illegal immigration with criminality oversimplifies a nuanced issue and fuels xenophobia.

Leavitt’s comments on America Reports also referenced the tragic case of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant in August 2023. During the interview, Leavitt contrasted the Democrats’ advocacy for Abrego Garcia with their perceived indifference to victims like Morin, whose death has become a rallying point for supporters of stricter immigration policies. “The actions and the words of the Democrat Party prove they could not care less about the American public,” Leavitt stated, citing Morin’s case as evidence of the dangers posed by unchecked illegal immigration. Her remarks were echoed by Patty Morin, Rachel’s mother, who appeared as a special guest at a White House press briefing on April 16, 2025, to highlight the administration’s commitment to victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

The response to Leavitt’s interview was swift and polarized. On social media platforms like X, conservative commentators and Trump supporters praised her for “speaking truth” and exposing what they see as the Democrats’ misguided priorities. One X user wrote, “The Democrat party is truly America Last. They hate America,” while another declared, “Bingo, she nailed it. Dems’ priorities are whack.” These sentiments reflect a broader trend on X, where Leavitt’s remarks have been celebrated as a bold defense of American sovereignty.

Conversely, Democrats and progressive activists have condemned Leavitt’s rhetoric as inflammatory and misleading. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., issued a statement accusing the Trump administration of “blatantly disobeying the law” through its immigration and funding policies, warning that “the American people will pay an awful price” if such measures continue. Immigration advocacy groups have also criticized Leavitt’s blanket characterization of undocumented immigrants as criminals, arguing that it dehumanizes millions of people and ignores the contributions of many who live law-abiding lives in the United States.

Leavitt’s tenure as White House press secretary—the youngest in history at age 28—has been marked by her unapologetic defense of Trump’s policies and her willingness to confront critics head-on. During her first press briefing on January 29, 2025, she faced questions about the administration’s deportation efforts, responding with a now-viral quip that all illegal immigrants are criminals because “they illegally broke our nation’s laws.” This statement, fact-checked as “False” by PolitiFact due to the legal distinction between civil and criminal violations, nonetheless resonated with Trump’s base and set the tone for Leavitt’s combative approach to media interactions.

The America Reports interview also touched on other aspects of the Trump administration’s agenda, including its use of tariffs to pressure foreign nations like Mexico and Canada into cooperating on border security. Leavitt defended the tariffs as a necessary tool to curb the flow of illegal drugs and human trafficking, noting that Mexico had recently deployed 10,000 troops to its southern border in response to U.S. pressure. She dismissed concerns about the economic impact of tariffs on American consumers, arguing that the long-term benefits of secure borders outweigh short-term costs.

Critics, however, warn that the administration’s hardline policies risk alienating allies and destabilizing the economy. The federal funding freeze, which Leavitt has claimed targets “illegal DEI programs” and “green new scam” initiatives, has been particularly contentious, with reports indicating that it could disrupt trillions of dollars in grants and loans for programs ranging from school meals to wildfire preparedness. Democrats have accused Trump of overreaching his authority, with 22 state attorneys general challenging his executive order on birthright citizenship—a policy Leavitt has defended as a necessary step to deter illegal immigration.

As the 2025 political landscape takes shape, Leavitt’s role as a spokesperson for the Trump administration positions her as a lightning rod for both praise and criticism. Her ability to articulate the administration’s priorities with clarity and conviction has earned her a loyal following among conservatives, who view her as a refreshing departure from the “legacy media” establishment. At the same time, her provocative rhetoric has deepened the divide between the administration and its opponents, setting the stage for continued clashes over immigration and other polarizing issues.

In her America Reports appearance, Leavitt made it clear that the Trump administration has no intention of softening its stance. “President Trump and our administration will not rest until every single violent illegal alien is removed from our country,” she declared, framing the issue as a matter of national security and public safety. Whether this approach will galvanize support or further polarize the nation remains to be seen, but for now, Leavitt’s words have ensured that the immigration debate remains at the forefront of American politics.

As the Trump administration presses forward with its agenda, the question of how to balance border security with humanitarian concerns will continue to dominate headlines. For Leavitt and her allies, the answer is clear: American citizens must come first. For their critics, the administration’s policies represent a dangerous overreach that threatens the values of compassion and inclusion. With both sides digging in, the stage is set for a protracted battle that will likely define the Trump presidency—and the nation’s future—for years to come.