Hakeem Jeffries Attacks Karoline Leavitt: “Demented, Ignorant, or All of the Above”
Washington’s ongoing government shutdown took an even sharper political turn on Friday as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a fiery outburst aimed directly at White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The remarks came on the 17th day of the shutdown and quickly added new tension to an already polarized Capitol.
Jeffries, appearing visibly frustrated during a press conference, unleashed a barrage of personal insults, calling Leavitt “sick,” “out of control,” and questioning whether she was “demented, ignorant, a stone-cold liar, or all of the above.” His comments followed a question about an alleged controversy involving a swastika flag reportedly found in a Republican lawmaker’s office — a claim the lawmaker has firmly denied as a political setup.
Instead of addressing the issue directly, Jeffries pivoted to a sweeping critique of the administration, accusing its officials of fostering “chaos and deception.” His attack appeared aimed not only at Leavitt but also at the broader Republican leadership aligned with President Trump.
The White House, meanwhile, stayed focused on its messaging: ending the shutdown while pushing for spending reductions and enhanced border security. Leavitt has repeatedly stated that “Democrats and their media allies are inventing scandals rather than governing,” emphasizing that the administration’s top priority remains reopening the government with fiscal responsibility.
The stalemate, now entering its third week, stems from sharp disagreements over federal spending and immigration policy. President Trump has insisted that any resolution must include funding to strengthen the southern border — a condition Democrats continue to reject without broader budget concessions.
Jeffries’ remarks, while intended to rally his base, risked overshadowing negotiations and highlighted growing frustration on both sides of the aisle. As public impatience mounts, lawmakers remain deadlocked, with no immediate signs of progress toward reopening federal operations.