Karoline Leavitt

Karoline Leavitt is the White House Press Secretary. She is newsworthy due to her role in addressing the controversy surrounding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. Following the shooting, the Trump administration initially faced backlash for what was perceived as victim-blaming. Leavitt's actions are significant because she notably avoided the administration's typical confrontational rhetoric during a press briefing on the matter. She called Pretti's death a tragedy and signaled a shift in the White House's approach, distancing President Trump from initial characterizations of Pretti. This change in tone came as video evidence contradicted the administration's initial claims about Pretti's actions, highlighting Leavitt's role in managing the administration's response to a sensitive and politically charged situation.