White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sparred with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during a tense exchange about President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, where violent clashes between Antifa rioters and federal agents have continued for weeks.
Collins questioned whether sending in the National Guard was necessary, citing comments from Portland’s police chief who claimed the president’s statements about the city “don’t match up with what’s happening on the ground.”
Leavitt pushed back sharply, suggesting Collins had relied on partisan sources and failed to investigate the situation firsthand.
“I would encourage you, as a reporter, to go on the ground and take a look for yourself,” Leavitt said. “There have been many members of the press — not the press in this room but independent journalists — some of whom we’ll be inviting to the White House very soon to share their stories. They have been in the middle of these riots and have witnessed the anarchy that is taking place night after night. It’s on video!”
When Collins attempted to interject, Leavitt pressed on. “You’re probably talking to partisan Democrat officials who are opposed to everything this president does,” she said.
The press secretary urged Collins and other reporters to speak directly with Portland residents affected by the unrest.
