House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) sharply criticized White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday, calling her “sick” and “demented” during a press conference amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Jeffries made the remarks while responding to questions about a swastika flag reportedly found in a House GOP lawmaker’s office earlier this week. “You’ve got Karoline Leavitt, who’s sick. She’s out of control. And I’m not sure whether she’s just demented, ignorant, a stone-cold liar, or all of the above,” Jeffries said, according to Fox News. He also dismissed claims from the Trump administration that Democrats consist of terrorists, violent criminals, and undocumented immigrants, labeling those accusations as inaccurate and misleading.
The comments came on day 17 of the government shutdown, which shows no immediate signs of ending. Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have repeatedly blocked the GOP’s federal funding measures, rejecting proposals they say fail to address healthcare concerns—including the expiration of certain COVID-era Obamacare subsidies.
### Controversy Over Swastika-Flag Incident
The controversy centers on a small American flag with a swastika symbol embedded in it, reportedly found in the office of Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio). Taylor has maintained that neither he nor his staff were involved in displaying the symbol. He attributed the incident to an “unidentified group” targeting multiple Republican offices with altered flags.
In a statement to Fox News, Taylor emphasized that the flag was removed immediately after its discovery, and that internal investigations confirmed no staff participation in the incident.
Jeffries’ focus on Leavitt has drawn attention because it singled out the White House press secretary amid broader partisan conflict, rather than the lawmaker whose office contained the flag. Analysts note that his comments highlight the intensifying political rhetoric as Democrats and Republicans remain deeply divided over federal funding, healthcare provisions, and the handling of pandemic-era subsidies.
### Ongoing Government Shutdown and Political Standoff
The government shutdown began earlier in October and has persisted due to the inability of congressional negotiators to agree on a continuing resolution. Senate Democrats blocked the GOP-proposed funding extension for the fourth time before leaving Washington for the weekend, prolonging the standoff.
Republicans had proposed a seven-week extension of fiscal year 2025 funding levels, aiming to provide more time to reach a long-term budget agreement for 2026.
As the impasse drags on, several divisions within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have started laying off staff, and leadership roles remain unfilled. Democrats have been vocal about their insistence on healthcare concessions, including extending certain Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
The prolonged shutdown has raised concerns among federal employees, advocacy groups, and state officials about the potential economic and administrative impacts if the stalemate continues.
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