White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has shot back at Democrats for using violent rhetoric in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Leavitt addressed concerns regarding the inflammatory remarks from Democrat lawmakers who are outraged over the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate fraud and waste from the federal government.
During the White House press briefing, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy pressed Leavitt on comments made by elected Democrats.
Doocy noted the aggressive statements from Democrats who expressed outrage over the role of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in cutting federal waste and the resulting shutdown of corrupt USAID.
In his question, Doocy highlighted remarks from several Democrats who described the situation in combative and violent terms.
“Some elected Democrats are so steamed about DOGE,” Doocy said to Leavitt.
“Congresswoman LaMonica McIver [D-NJ] says ‘we are at war.’
“[Rep.] Ilhan Omar [D-MN] says ‘we might actually see someone get killed,’ and [Sen.] Chris Van Hollen [D-MD] says ‘we have to fight this in Congress, we have to fight this in the streets.’
“So, what now?” Doocy asked.
Leavitt condemned the rhetoric, calling it “unacceptable.”
She continued by asserting that such statements from Republican lawmakers would trigger widespread backlash.
“And may I just point out that if you heard that type of violent, enticing rhetoric from our side of the aisle, from Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, I think there would be a lot more outrage in this room today,” Leavitt noted.
“It’s unacceptable, the comments that have been made by these Democrat leaders and frankly, they don’t even know what they are talking about,” Leavitt said.
She emphasized that Trump was elected with a clear mandate to reduce government inefficiency.
This was a promise he campaigned on alongside Musk.
“President Trump was elected with a mandate from the American people to make this government more efficient,” the press secretary explained.
“He campaigned across this country with Elon Musk vowing that Elon was going to head up the Department of Government Efficiency and the two of them, with this great team they have around them, were going to look at the receipts of this federal government and ensure it’s accountable to American taxpayers.”
Leavitt also urged accountability for Democrat officials making incendiary comments.
“For Democratic officials to incite violence and encourage Americans to take to the streets is incredibly alarming, and they should be held accountable for that rhetoric,” she said.
WATCH:
USAID, which has funneled billions of dollars in taxpayer money into shady foreign aid initiatives, was set to shut down following Musk’s review of federal waste through DOGE.
The agency had planned to spend $1.5 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean on LGBTQ programs.
USAID also used taxpayer funds to distribute millions of contraceptives globally in fiscal year 2022.
As Slay News reported, it has also emerged that USAID funded gain-of-function research in China’s Wuhan biolab.
Some of the main recipients of tax dollars through USAID are the World Economic Forum (WEF) and organizations led by Bill Gates and George Soros.
Following the announcement of USAID’s closure, the Biden-appointed staff were told to work remotely.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has now taken over USAID as acting director to oversee its absorption into the State Department.
On Tuesday, angry Democrat lawmakers gathered outside the Department of Treasury to protest what they called Musk’s “hostile takeover” of federal systems.
McIver escalated her rhetoric, calling for the U.S. Senate to be “shut down,” adding that she would not take “this sh*t” from Musk and Trump.
Democrat Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MS) also threatened Republicans, warning she would “bring the fire” against the GOP.
“Elon Musk is a Nazi nepo baby,” Pressley yelled.
“A godless, lawless billionaire. No one elected Elon.
“This is the American people,” Pressley declared.
“This is not your trashy cyber truck that you can just dismantle, pick apart, and sell the pieces of.
“I want to say to our Republican colleagues—pay attention.
“We’re here today in the hopes that you will see the light.
“But if you do not see the light, we will bring the fire. Resist.”
Insurrection? Ayanna Pressley Calls Elon “Nazi Nepo Baby,” Threatens GOP: “We Will Bring the Fire” pic.twitter.com/YlIeh88VJh
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) February 6, 2025
McIver urged supporters to “mobilize” and “fight back” against Trump and Musk.
Protesters responded by chanting, “Elon Musk has got to go!”
DOGE derangement syndrome pic.twitter.com/w0vP8EkryM
— Politi_Rican (@TheRicanMemes) February 6, 2025
The heated rhetoric from Democrats stands in contrast to their repeated accusations that Republicans, and particularly Trump, incited political violence.
Democrats have frequently pointed to January 6, 2021, as an example of what they claim is Republican extremism.
However, they are now engaging in similar actions over USAID’s shutdown.
Despite the outcry from Democrats, the Trump administration remains firm on its decision to eliminate wasteful spending.
Musk’s DOGE team is continuing to review federal programs for further reductions and restructuring.
READ MORE – Liz Cheney Lashes Out at Elon Musk amid Backlash as Her Ties to USAID Emerge
