White House Press Secretary Cuts Briefing Short After Questions on Trump’s ‘Punishable by Death’ Remarks

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt abruptly ended a press briefing after reporters repeatedly pressed her on President Trump’s explosive claim that several Democratic lawmakers had engaged in “seditious behavior” that he said was “punishable by death.”

The controversy erupted after a video circulated online showing Democratic lawmakers—many of them veterans or former intelligence officials—urging military members to resist unlawful orders and uphold their oath to the Constitution. Trump swiftly condemned the remarks, characterizing them as sedition.

During the briefing, CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Nancy Cordes confronted Leavitt directly. “This morning, President Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of ‘seditious behavior’ punishable by ‘death.’ Just to be clear, does the president want to execute members of Congress?”

Leavitt deflected, mischaracterizing the video and claiming the lawmakers were encouraging troops to ignore orders from their commander-in-chief. “Why aren’t you talking about what these members of Congress are doing to encourage and incite violence?” she shot back.

Reporters refused to move on. Another correspondent pressed further: “Isn’t the president encouraging political violence when he says members of Congress should be killed?”

Unable—or unwilling—to answer, Leavitt walked away from the podium mid-question, marking the first time she has exited a briefing so abruptly, according to reporters in the room. White House aides offered no explanation afterward.

The video at the center of the dispute included Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Sen. Mark Kelly, and Representatives Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Jason Crow—lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds.

The tense exchange highlights mounting friction between the press corps and the White House as officials face increasing scrutiny over shifting statements on immigration enforcement, foreign policy, and federal funding.