White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Donald Trump’s Truth Social post that labeled some Democratic lawmakers "seditious traitors" and said their conduct was "punishable by death," yet she insisted Trump opposes "dangerous rhetoric." Reporters asked whether officials should follow presidential orders even if legal experts call them unlawful; Leavitt declined to answer directly and reiterated that the president expects his Cabinet to "follow the law." She emphasized accountability for the lawmakers' video urging troops to refuse illegal orders and left the briefing to meet Israeli hostages. The exchange underscores tensions over presidential rhetoric and the limits of obedience to contested orders.
Leavitt Defends Trump's 'Punishable by Death' Post, Sidesteps Whether Unlawful Orders Should Be Followed
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Donald Trump’s Truth Social post that labeled some Democratic lawmakers "seditious traitors" and said their conduct was "punishable by death," yet she insisted Trump opposes "dangerous rhetoric." Reporters asked whether officials should follow presidential orders even if legal experts call them unlawful; Leavitt declined to answer directly and reiterated that the president expects his Cabinet to "follow the law." She emphasized accountability for the lawmakers' video urging troops to refuse illegal orders and left the briefing to meet Israeli hostages. The exchange underscores tensions over presidential rhetoric and the limits of obedience to contested orders.
05:42 AM, 11/21/2025Politics
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended former President Donald Trump’s recent Truth Social message that labeled several Democratic lawmakers "seditious traitors" and said their conduct was "punishable by death," while insisting the president opposes "dangerous rhetoric." Her comments came during a tense press briefing in which she avoided directly answering whether Trump expects officials to carry out presidential orders that legal experts deem unlawful.
The exchange began after a video from six Democratic lawmakers — all military veterans — urged service members to refuse unlawful orders under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Trump responded on social media by calling the lawmakers' actions "treason" and suggesting their conduct could merit capital punishment, prompting questions from reporters about the limits of presidential authority and the obligations of military and civilian officials.
An unidentified reporter asked whether, in cases where legal authorities consider an order unlawful, the president still expects government or military officials to follow it without independent judgment. Leavitt did not directly address that hypothetical.
"The president expects his Cabinet officials to follow the law and to demand accountability and hold people accountable for their dangerous rhetoric," Leavitt said, adding that if Republicans had urged defiance of the chain of command, the press would be more outraged.
Rather than clarify whether subordinates should carry out orders that legal experts might judge unlawful, Leavitt repeatedly framed the lawmakers' video as "dangerous rhetoric" and emphasized the need for accountability for such statements. She declined to say whether Trump believes unlawful orders should be followed, reiterating only that his officials are expected to "follow the law."
The briefing ended abruptly when Leavitt said she had to leave to meet with Israeli hostages visiting the White House.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights unresolved questions about the balance between presidential commands and legal constraints, and it underscores how charged political rhetoric can raise concerns about the treatment of dissenting officials and the responsibilities of military personnel. The episode also reflects broader partisan tensions over how the press and public respond to controversial statements depending on who makes them.