Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the New Media, Apr. 28, 2025

Summary

In this briefing, White House representatives address a range of pressing issues, including ongoing hostage negotiations, the handling of whistleblowers, and the release of Epstein files. They discuss the importance of executive orders and efforts to push for policies on sanctuary cities, law enforcement coordination, and trucker literacy tests. The conversation also touches on President Trump's stance on federal tax reform, the 2nd Amendment, and national reciprocity for gun owners. The briefing highlights the administration's priorities, challenges, and transparency efforts, providing an in-depth view of their policies and strategies moving forward.

Takeaways

• 😀 The administration prioritizes bringing home hostages, with key figures like Special Envoy WhitF and National Security team working on this daily.
• 😀 The press secretary commends individuals who step forward as whistleblowers, highlighting cases such as those at the Treasury Department who were promoted for their courage in revealing the truth.
• 😀 The DOJ is working diligently on releasing Epstein-related files, but no specific timeline has been provided yet. The Attorney General is described as a determined leader in this effort.
• 😀 The administration is focused on securing the southern border and pushing for tax cuts, with a goal of getting Congress to codify important policies that were previously done via executive orders.
• 😀 The President signed three major executive orders, including measures on sanctuary cities, law enforcement cooperation, and English literacy tests for truckers.
• 😀 There is ongoing work on tariff policies to increase revenue, aiming to replace the IRS with the proposed external revenue service, with Customs and Border Protection playing a key role.
• 😀 President Trump has been a strong advocate for the Second Amendment and continues to support the right of Americans to defend themselves, although national reciprocity for concealed carry requires Congress's involvement.
• 😀 The administration has been critical of leaks of classified information and emphasizes that leaks that endanger law enforcement or troops will not be tolerated, while those protecting the truth will be praised.
• 😀 The press secretary encourages independent voices to focus on facts and policy details rather than sensational headlines, suggesting that more reporters adopt a policy-centric approach.
• 😀 Efforts to strengthen communication between federal and local law enforcement are underway, with executive orders aimed at improving the collaboration and ensuring better coordination for public safety.

Q & A

What is the administration's stance on finding and bringing home hostages?

The administration views bringing hostages home as a top priority. Special Envoy WhitF, Adam Bowler, and the entire national security team are working diligently every day to resolve these situations.

How does the administration view whistleblowers, especially those who exposed wrongdoing during the previous administration?

The administration commends anyone who speaks the truth, particularly when exposing malpractice, such as the actions seen under the previous administration. For example, whistleblowers at the Treasury Department who exposed tax fraud have been promoted, showing the administration's support for transparency.

What is the administration's position on leaks of classified information?

Leaks, especially those that put law enforcement and troops at risk, will not be tolerated. However, whistleblowers protecting the truth are highly valued and praised by the administration.

What is the Department of Justice's stance on the Epstein files and related investigations?

The Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Merrick Garland, is diligently working on the Epstein case. While there is no specific timeline for when files will be released, the DOJ is committed to transparency and thorough investigation.

How does the administration address the issue of sanctuary cities?

President Trump signed an executive order that directs the Attorney General to compile a list of sanctuary cities. If any are found to be defying federal law, the Office of Management and Budget will review their federal funding.

What executive orders is President Trump signing today?

President Trump is signing three executive orders: one on sanctuary cities, one ensuring law and order by improving communication between federal and local law enforcement, and one addressing English literacy tests for truckers to improve public safety.

How does the administration plan to handle the external revenue service and the IRS?

The administration aims to replace the Internal Revenue Service with the External Revenue Service, leveraging tariffs and trade deals to generate revenue. This would help address the country's growing deficit while ensuring critical supply chains are strengthened.

What is the administration's plan to protect Second Amendment rights?

The administration supports law-abiding gun owners and is focused on protecting Second Amendment rights. While President Trump strongly backs national reciprocity for concealed carry, achieving this requires Congress's action.

What is the administration's approach to the first 100 days of the Trump White House?

During the first 100 days, the administration is prioritizing policies like border security and tax cuts. The president is urging Congress to work on codifying key executive orders into permanent law.

How does the administration plan to engage with the media on policy issues?

The administration emphasizes the importance of presenting factual, detailed policy information rather than sensationalist headlines. The White House shares fact sheets and encourages independent voices to spread accurate information about the president's actions.