White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded strongly after freshman Rep. Dave Min of California labeled her a “fake Christian.” Min made the remark in a post on the X platform, prompting Leavitt to defend her faith and character in an interview with the New York Post.
Leavitt Defends Her Faith
In her response, Leavitt dismissed Min’s comments as “pitiful” and reaffirmed the importance of her Christian faith in her life. “My Christian faith is a huge part of my life,” she told The Post. “My faith, my marriage, my family life — it’s everything to me.”
Min’s attack came in response to Leavitt’s clarification on the Biden administration’s stance regarding federal funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A federal judge blocked the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance on January 28, but Leavitt emphasized that while the memo was rescinded, the broader policy restricting federal funds for progressive programs remained intact.
“This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze,” she tweeted. “It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo. Why? To end any confusion created by the court’s injunction. The President’s EOs on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented.”
Min Faces Backlash for His Remarks
Rather than backing down, Min continued to mock Leavitt, accusing her of dishonesty while wearing a cross. “While wearing a giant cross to let everyone know how pious and moral she is, even as she is so comfortable stating a bald-faced lie to hundreds of millions of people,” Min tweeted.
His comments sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many users rallying behind Leavitt. Some pointed out Min’s own troubled history, particularly a recent arrest for drunk driving. The backlash highlighted growing tensions between conservatives and progressives over religious beliefs and government policies.
Alina Habba Announces Federal Job Changes
Meanwhile, Alina Habba, former personal attorney to President Trump and current White House counselor, made a significant announcement regarding federal employment policies. Speaking on Fox News, Habba stated that Executive Branch employees who do not align with an “America First” agenda would be removed from their positions.
Fox News host Sean Hannity questioned Trump’s decision to fire certain U.S. attorneys who had prosecuted him, asking, “Why would it be that deep state institutionalists, people that work for Jack Smith, that worked overtime night and day to put Donald Trump in jail, why wouldn’t Donald Trump get to pick his own people? Why would he be stuck with that group of people?”
Habba agreed, arguing that the Executive Branch should be staffed with individuals who support Trump’s policies. “I love that you asked me this question, Sean. You know what I would say to all the liberals freaking out? Yeah, no, here we go. Ready? If you’re Biden and I’m in the DOJ, are you leaving me there, Biden? I don’t think so,” she responded.
She continued, “Look, the truth of the matter is this. You’re not America First. They were divisiveness. They were the party of attack. They were the party of politicization of the law, fair justice, and injustice.”
A Shift in Federal Hiring?
Habba suggested that under Trump’s leadership, there would be significant changes in federal employment. “If you’re not America First, you’re out,” she declared. “And not only that, we’re replacing a lot of people with good people, people that care about America, the Constitution, and things that President Trump cares about.”
These remarks underscore the Trump administration’s broader strategy of reshaping the federal workforce to align with its policies. It signals a shift in how government roles will be filled and how political loyalty may play a role in hiring decisions.
As debates over religious freedom, government policy, and federal employment continue, Leavitt and Habba’s statements reflect the administration’s firm stance on these issues. The controversy surrounding Min’s remarks and the reaction to them highlight the growing divide in American politics, particularly regarding faith, governance, and ideological allegiance.