White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt drew sharp criticism during a Wednesday, June 11, briefing after she called a reporter’s question “stupid” when asked about peaceful protests at President Donald Trump’s upcoming military parade. The heated exchange occurred during questioning about Trump’s warning that protesters at Saturday’s Army 250th anniversary celebration would face “very big force.”
The confrontation began when Jasmine Wright of NOTUS asked Leavitt to clarify what kind of protest Trump would find acceptable. Leavitt initially responded that the president absolutely supports peaceful protests and the First Amendment, explaining that he supports Americans’ right to make their voices heard but does not support violence or assaulting law enforcement officers.
When Wright pressed for further clarification, asking specifically whether peaceful protests would be allowed during Saturday’s military parade, Leavitt’s demeanor shifted. The press secretary snapped back with visible irritation, telling Wright: “What a stupid question.” Video footage captured Wright looking visibly shocked at the treatment, while Leavitt appeared to grin at her own remark before quickly moving to the next reporter.
The incident occurred during a tense 26-minute briefing dominated by questions about ongoing protests in Los Angeles and other major cities over Trump’s mass deportation plans. Trump had warned Tuesday from the Oval Office that anyone protesting at the weekend’s parade would be met with “very heavy force,” describing potential protesters as “people who despise our nation” and suggesting some might be “paid insurrectionists.”
The military parade, held Saturday, June 14, along Constitution Avenue and at the Ellipse, coincided with both the Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday. The $45 million event featured displays of military hardware and thousands of soldiers. Security preparations included fencing around the White House, Capitol, and certain roadways.
Organizers with the “No Kings” movement held demonstrations across the country to coincide with the parade. However, the group advised potential demonstrators to avoid protesting in Washington, D.C., where security measures were already robust. Instead, organizers encouraged protests in Philadelphia or suburban Maryland and Virginia locations.
During the briefing, Leavitt also addressed the ongoing unrest in Los Angeles, where Mayor Karen Bass had imposed a curfew on downtown areas from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The restricted zone covered approximately one square mile, enclosed by the 5, 10, and 110 freeways, though the curfew did not apply to residents, homeless individuals, media members, or public safety personnel.
Leavitt reported that nearly 400 illegal immigrants had been arrested in riots since June 6, with hundreds more people charged with assaulting law enforcement officers. She highlighted one particular case involving an individual from Mexico who was arrested after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement officers during riots in Paramount on Saturday, who is now facing attempted murder charges.
The press secretary used photographs of burning cars to justify Trump’s decision to federalize California’s National Guard and deploy U.S. Marines to address the unrest. She described images of foreign flags being waved by what she termed “illegal criminals and violent rioters” amid scenes of burning vehicles and flames throughout the city.
The confrontation with Wright represented part of a pattern of tense exchanges between Leavitt and reporters. The incident has drawn attention to the administration’s handling of press relations, particularly regarding questions about protest rights and the president’s use of military force against demonstrators.
When asked during the same briefing whether the president sees himself as a “king,” Leavitt responded that Trump views himself as the President of the United States in a constitutional republic, expressing the administration’s desire for all citizens to be proud of their country.
The exchange has been widely circulated on social media, with critics pointing to the administration’s approach to handling questions about constitutional rights and peaceful protest. The incident occurred amid broader tensions over immigration enforcement and the federal response to demonstrations across multiple major cities, including New York and Chicago.