Washington’s latest war of words ignites as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt unleashes a blistering critique of a top Democratic leader.
On Oct. 17, 2025, Leavitt sharply rebuked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for derogatory remarks made during a press conference, escalating an already heated standoff between Republicans and Democrats over a prolonged government shutdown, as Fox News reports.
Earlier that day, Jeffries took aim at Leavitt, questioning her mental stability and credibility in a public address. He criticized her for alleging Democrats align with harmful elements during a critical time of federal gridlock.
In response, Leavitt didn’t hold back, accusing Democrats of prioritizing dangerous agendas over American interests. She pointed to their refusal to denounce certain violent factions following the Oct. 7 terror incidents and their backing of disruptive campus protests targeting Jewish students.
Leavitt also slammed Democratic border policies, claiming they’ve permitted a massive influx of unauthorized migrants over the past four years, including individuals with criminal records, for political gain. She further condemned their support for lenient crime measures like cashless bail, arguing these endanger law-abiding citizens.
“Democrats do NOT serve the interests of the American people. Hakeem Jeffries is an America Last, stone-cold loser. Now open up the government and stop simping to try to get your radical left-wing base to like you,” Leavitt told Fox News Digital. From a conservative standpoint, this hits the mark—pandering to extreme factions won’t fix a stalled government.
The government remains shuttered after Congress failed to reach consensus on federal funding. Tensions are palpable as the impasse stretches toward a fourth week, with no resolution in sight after Senate Democrats rejected a Republican funding proposal for the 10th time on the Thursday prior to Oct. 17, 2025.
Last month, GOP lawmakers offered a seven-week extension of fiscal year 2025 funding to buy time for a broader fiscal year 2026 agreement. Democrats, however, felt sidelined in the discussions and expressed fury over being excluded from the negotiation process.
A majority of Democrats are holding firm, refusing any deal lacking major healthcare provisions, particularly the extension of COVID-19-era Obamacare subsidies due to lapse by the end of 2025. This rigid stance only deepens the deadlock gripping Washington.
“You've got Karoline Leavitt, who's sick. She's out of control. And I'm not sure whether she's just demented, ignorant, a stone-cold liar or all of the above,” Jeffries stated during his press conference. From a right-leaning view, such harsh language dodges the real issue—why won’t Democrats negotiate to end this shutdown?
Jeffries further argued that portraying Democrats as tied to terrorism and crime by a White House official defies logic, especially amid national disruption. Fox News Digital sought comment from his office, though no response was noted in the coverage.
The ongoing shutdown has ramped up hostility on both sides, with no immediate end to the political sparring. Public frustration mounts as essential services hang in limbo while leaders trade barbs instead of solutions.
From a conservative perspective, Democrats’ insistence on expansive healthcare concessions over a basic funding agreement reveals a troubling priority misalignment. American taxpayers deserve governance, not ideological brinkmanship that stalls critical operations.
Leavitt’s pointed critique of Jeffries as prioritizing a fringe base over national needs resonates with those weary of partisan games. If the left continues to block pragmatic measures, they risk alienating citizens craving stability over agenda-driven delays.
As this clash unfolds, the nation watches a government adrift, caught between stubborn policy demands and sharp-tongued exchanges. Resolving this shutdown demands compromise, not name-calling—yet both sides seem entrenched, leaving Americans to bear the cost of inaction.
