White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt engaged in a heated confrontation with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins on Monday during a press briefing, clashing over President Donald Trump’s attempt to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon.
The exchange took place after a federal judge blocked the administration’s effort to send troops to the city, citing concerns that the deployment was “untethered to what was actually happening on the ground.”
The judge, appointed by Trump during his first term, issued the ruling over the weekend following a legal challenge from Oregon officials.
Collins pressed Leavitt about how the president would respond to the court’s decision, pointing out that it came from one of Trump’s own judicial appointees.
Her question appeared to irritate the press secretary, who quickly shot back with a pointed rebuke.
Leavitt, 28, told Collins, 33, that she should “go on the ground and take a look at it for yourself,” arguing that the media had misrepresented the situation in Portland.
“Because there’s been many members of the press, not press in this room, but independent journalists, some of whom we’ll be inviting to the White House very soon to share their stories, because they have been in the middle of these riots, and they have witnessed the anarchy that is taking place night after night,” Leavitt said.
The press secretary continued, “It’s on video. You should play it on your show. You have a great opportunity in primetime on CNN to show your audience.”
Her comments drew murmurs from members of the press corps as the exchange escalated.
Leavitt accused Collins of relying on information from local Democratic officials, saying, “You’re probably talking to partisan Democrat officials who are opposed to everything this president does.”
She then pointed to accounts from Portland residents who have expressed frustration over the ongoing unrest in their neighborhoods.
“You should also ask the people who live in Portland,” Leavitt said.
“We’ve actually heard from many members of the community who have said that this is complete civil disobedience. It’s a mess. It’s been loud.”
The press secretary continued, “It’s been troubling for neighbors in the community who are just trying to live peacefully. And these people are not there to peacefully protest. They are there to cause mayhem and havoc.”
WATCH:
Video footage circulating online shows black-clad protesters clashing with police near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland.
Demonstrators have been seen setting fires, blocking roads and confronting law enforcement officers.
Residents in the surrounding area have complained of sleepless nights and property damage caused by the ongoing disturbances, per the Daily Mail.
Several business owners have reported vandalism, graffiti, and broken windows tied to the protests, which have continued for months.
Independent journalist Katie Daviscourt shared photos on social media showing a bruised face after she was allegedly attacked by an Antifa protester while covering the events.
The tense exchange between Leavitt and Collins came amid growing controversy over the Trump administration’s plan to use the National Guard to address what officials have described as “lawlessness” in major Democrat-led cities.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, strongly condemned the effort, accusing Trump of attempting to “invade” his state.
“We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion,” Pritzker said in a post on X.
“No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate. It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state’s military troops.”
