Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Feb. 12, 2025

On February 12, 2025, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held a media briefing, offering insights into President Trump’s key priorities on foreign diplomacy, national security, and domestic policy reforms. Below are the main points from the briefing.

1. Progress in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Leavitt highlighted President Trump’s ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. The President has made significant progress in brokering peace talks with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Leavitt mentioned that President Trump is determined to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, having had very positive calls with both leaders.

2. Mark Fogle’s Return to the U.S.

The briefing also covered a major diplomatic success—the return of American teacher Mark Fogle, who had been detained in Russia. Leavitt discussed the role of President Trump’s National Security team in successfully bringing Fogle home, which is part of the administration’s broader efforts to secure the release of American citizens detained abroad.

3. Domestic Policy Reforms: Efficiency and Accountability

Leavitt touched on the President’s focus on cutting waste within the federal government. President Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the use of paper straws in federal procurement, signaling his commitment to reducing inefficiencies. She also highlighted the DOGE Workforce Optimization Initiative, aimed at downsizing the federal workforce and prioritizing essential roles. The focus remains on reducing government waste and improving effectiveness.

4. Criminal Illegal Aliens and Immigration

A significant focus of the administration continues to be the deportation of criminal illegal aliens. Leavitt pointed to several recent arrests of individuals involved in serious criminal activities, underscoring the administration’s tough stance toward illegal immigrants who break the law.

5. Judicial Challenges to Executive Orders

Leavitt addressed recent challenges from federal judges who have issued injunctions blocking certain executive orders. These judicial decisions have frustrated the administration, as they view them as obstacles created by “judicial activists.” Despite these hurdles, President Trump remains committed to his policy agenda and continues to focus on his domestic priorities.

6. Promoting Free Speech and Combating Censorship

Another central issue for President Trump is combating censorship by large tech companies. Leavitt praised Rumble, a platform founded by Chris Pavloski, which has been recognized for standing up to censorship and allowing for free expression, including content from President Trump. The administration is committed to protecting the First Amendment and curbing government-sponsored censorship.

7. Economic Outlook: Inflation and Interest Rates

Regarding the economy, Leavitt touched on ongoing inflation concerns and the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain steady interest rates. President Trump has long argued that interest rates should be lowered to control inflation and stimulate economic growth. The administration continues to focus on policies that benefit working Americans and address economic challenges.

8. Trade Policy and Reciprocal Tariffs

On the trade front, Leavitt reiterated President Trump’s commitment to ensuring that international trade is fair to the U.S. The President continues to advocate for reciprocal tariffs to level the playing field, protecting American workers from unfair global trade practices.

9. Commitment to Transparency and Accountability

Leavitt noted the administration’s ongoing push for greater transparency within the federal government. Through initiatives like the DOGE Workforce Optimization Initiative, President Trump’s team aims to expose waste and corruption, offering the public access to key documents such as contracts to verify these claims.

10. National Security: Iran and Nuclear Proliferation

The Trump administration continues to focus on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Leavitt confirmed that President Trump remains firm on his stance regarding Iran, emphasizing the importance of stopping nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

11. Diplomatic Engagement with Russia

Leavitt also addressed President Trump’s diplomatic efforts with Russia, noting that the President maintains open lines of communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin in hopes of resolving global conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. Despite ongoing tensions, the President believes in the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to maintain peace.

12. Hostage Negotiations and Diplomatic Successes

Another area of focus for President Trump’s administration is securing the release of American hostages. The return of Mark Fogle was cited as an example of the President’s success in negotiating with foreign governments to bring detained Americans back home. The administration is also working on other ongoing hostage negotiations to ensure Americans are freed.

13. Transparency in Government and National Security

Finally, Leavitt emphasized President Trump’s dedication to national security and transparency. The President is focused on declassifying key documents related to past political events in an effort to protect American citizens and ensure the safety of the nation.

Conclusion

In the briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided a detailed overview of President Trump’s ongoing efforts in foreign diplomacy, national security, and domestic policy. From his diplomatic work on the Russia-Ukraine conflict to his efforts to optimize the federal workforce and combat censorship, President Trump’s administration is focused on driving results. Through these actions, the President is committed to improving the nation’s security, economy, and government accountability.