A Heated Exchange Over National Guard Deployment in Portland
During a recent White House press briefing, the conversation turned to the ongoing debate over the deployment of the National Guard in Portland. The discussion involved CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who engaged in a back-and-forth about the legality and necessity of the president’s actions.
Collins began by asking Leavitt about a federal judge's argument that the president could not deploy other states’ National Guard units to Portland. She then followed up with a question about whether local officials in the city were even requesting the government’s assistance during the anti-ICE protests. Leavitt responded by dismissing the judge’s opinion as "untethered in reality and in the law," emphasizing the administration’s confidence in the legal authority to proceed with the deployment.
She also mentioned that the administration was preparing for an upcoming hearing on the matter and expressed optimism about winning the case. “We are very confident in the president's legal authority to do this,” she said.
Collins pressed further, asking if local officials had sought help from the Trump administration. In response, Leavitt encouraged Collins to visit Portland herself and witness the situation firsthand. She pointed out that independent journalists had been in the middle of the unrest and suggested they might be invited to the White House to share their experiences.
Leavitt also claimed that many residents of Portland had expressed frustration with the protests, calling them “complete civil disobedience” and describing the events as “a mess.” She argued that the protesters were not there to peacefully demonstrate but instead to cause “mayhem and havoc.”
Collins later shared the full exchange on her social media platforms, prompting reactions from other users. One account highlighted Leavitt’s suggestion that Collins and CNN should go to Portland to see the situation for themselves. In response, Collins posted a video of her interview with the Portland chief of police, where he stated that the president’s claims did not align with what was happening on the ground.
“I was quoting the Portland police chief,” she wrote in response, reinforcing her position that the administration’s narrative did not match the reality on the streets.
This wasn’t the only heated exchange involving CNN reporters and White House officials. Earlier in the day, Stephen Miller and Boris Sanchez also had a tense discussion about the deployment of the National Guard to Portland. Miller referred to the individuals involved in the protests as “street terrorists,” while Sanchez challenged his characterization.
The incident highlights the growing tension between the administration and the media, particularly when it comes to coverage of protests and the use of federal resources. As the debate continues, both sides remain steadfast in their positions, with each side claiming to have the truth on their side.
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