White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accidentally spoke a truth the administration didn’t intend during Monday’s briefing, declaring that President Trump’s DOJ would focus on “fighting law and order” rather than the intended “fighting for law and order.” The Freudian slip sparked immediate reactions across social media, with critics noting the gaffe perfectly encapsulates Trump’s actual relationship with legal norms.
The revealing moment came amid questions about whether Trump plans to investigate members of the January 6 committee, following his recent Truth Social rant claiming Biden’s preemptive pardons of those lawmakers were invalid because they were signed with an autopen. This argument holds particular irony given Trump himself admitted to using the same automatic signing device during his presidency.
Leavitt’s verbal stumble joins a growing list of unintentionally honest moments from this administration, coming just as Trump faces scrutiny for allegedly ignoring a judge’s order regarding deportation flights. The press secretary’s choice of words – “fighting law and order” – provides an apt descriptor for an administration led by a convicted felon that routinely challenges judicial authority while pursuing politically-motivated legal actions against opponents.
This incident underscores the growing credibility gap between the White House’s stated commitment to rule of law and its demonstrable pattern of undermining legal institutions when inconvenient. As the administration continues pushing controversial policies like mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, Leavitt’s accidental admission may prove more truthful than the official messaging she’s paid to deliver.
