White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held a press briefing on Thursday to address several major issues, including escalating tensions with Iran, President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled healthcare initiative, and the recent violent confrontation between federal immigration agents and civilians in North Minneapolis.
Key Takeaways
Trump’s Warning To Iran
Leavitt stressed that the United States government has delivered a stark warning to Tehran, making it clear that continued killings and human rights abuses within Iran will trigger “grave consequences,” citing the recent halt of hundreds of scheduled executions as evidence that international pressure is having an effect.
“The president and his team have communicated to the Iranian regime that if the killing continues, there will be grave consequences,” she said, noting that 800 executions set for yesterday were reportedly suspended. “All options remain on the table”, she added.
Great Healthcare Plan
On domestic policy, Leavitt highlighted Trump’s “Great Healthcare Plan”, describing it as “the most comprehensive and bold agenda to lower healthcare costs ever considered.”
She outlined key components, including efforts to reduce drug prices, cut insurance premiums, increase price transparency, and hold major insurance companies accountable.
Leavitt said the plan would eliminate billions in taxpayer-funded subsidies sent to large insurers, instead redirecting that funding to Americans directly to help them purchase the health insurance of their choice.
Minneapolis ICE Operation
Leavitt also addressed questions about a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in North Minneapolis that resulted in a Venezuelan man being shot in the leg by an ICE officer on Wednesday night.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the incident occurred during a targeted traffic stop, and the man attempted to evade arrest before resisting on foot. Multiple people reportedly emerged from a nearby residence and attacked the officer with a snow shovel and a broomstick, prompting the agent to fire in self-defence.
The man was hospitalised with a non-life-threatening injury, and all individuals involved were eventually taken into custody after barricading themselves inside a residence.
The Minneapolis incident follows nationwide tensions over immigration enforcement, particularly after a fatal shooting of a local resident during a prior ICE operation last week that drew widespread protest and condemnation from city leaders.
