Congressman Dave Min and White House Press Secretary Clash Over Federal Funding Freeze
Rep. Dave Min (D-CA 47th District) has sparked controversy by calling White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt a “fake Christian,” escalating a heated exchange between the two. Leavitt fired back, calling Min’s comments “pitiful” and “inappropriate” for an elected official.
The dispute began over the Trump administration’s decision to revoke an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that ordered a freeze on federal grants and loans contradicting Trump’s executive orders.
A federal judge blocked the implementation of the memo on January 28, but Leavitt clarified that the policy preventing federal funding from going to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and other progressive initiatives remained intact.
“This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze,” Leavitt posted on X (formerly Twitter). “It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo. The president’s executive orders on federal funding remain in full force and effect and will be rigorously implemented.”
Min responded by mocking Leavitt, accusing her of using religious symbolism to cover up misinformation.
Min said she tried to clarified the policy “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.”
Leavitt, who wore a prominent gold cross necklace during her first White House press briefing, did not hold back in her response.
“My Christian faith is a huge part of my life,” she told The New York Post. “My faith, my marriage, my family life — it’s everything to me.”
Raised in a Catholic household, Leavitt attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and has frequently cited her religious beliefs as the foundation of her conservative values. The 27-year-old, who is also a wife and mother to a six-month-old son, said she refuses to be shamed for her faith.
Leavitt’s public display of faith has ignited fierce debate on social media. Some users praised her for being unapologetic about her beliefs.
“Incredible seeing Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to serve as White House Press Secretary, unapologetically wear a Christian cross during her first press briefing,” one supporter wrote.
Another user added, “Karoline Leavitt wears a cross around her neck in her first press briefing. Love it.”
However, others accused her of using Christianity as a political prop.
“These FAKE Christians drive me up a wall! They wear the cross to symbolize goodness and kindness, yet MAGA Christians spread nothing but hate,” wrote one critic.
Another sarcastically tweeted, “I need SNL to do a skit where Karoline Leavitt doing press conference and the stories get crazier and crazier, and her cross necklace gets larger and larger.”
The heated exchange highlights the ongoing culture war between conservatives and progressives, particularly regarding the role of religion in politics. While Min’s comments have drawn backlash from conservatives, Leavitt’s unapologetic faith-based stance has energized her supporters.
As the White House continues its federal grant freeze policy and Trump’s executive orders remain in effect, further clashes between the Biden administration’s opponents and supporters seem inevitable.
BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
