House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt have engaged in a contentious exchange amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Jeffries sharply criticized Leavitt after she described the Democratic Party as aligned with “terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals.” He labeled her remarks as “sick” and “out of control,” questioning whether she was “demented, ignorant, a stone-cold liar, or all of the above”.

Leavitt swiftly responded on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Democrats of lashing out because they know her statements are true. She criticized Democratic leaders for allegedly catering to pro-Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals, citing their opposition to a GOP resolution condemning Hamas after the October 7th attacks. Leavitt also attacked Jeffries personally, calling him an “America Last, stone-cold loser,” and urged Democrats to reopen the government.

The confrontation occurs amid a prolonged government shutdown. Senate Democrats recently blocked a Republican funding proposal, insisting that any deal must include expanded healthcare subsidies and renewed pandemic-era programs. Jeffries opposed a GOP bill aimed at paying federal workers and troops, arguing it lacked a comprehensive solution to reopen the government Axios.

This exchange highlights the deepening partisan divide as both parties remain entrenched in their positions during the shutdown. The escalating rhetoric underscores the challenges in reaching a resolution, with each side accusing the other of obstructing progress and failing to prioritize the needs of the American people.

🚨 JUST IN: Hakeem Jeffries calls Karoline Leavitt "sick, she's out of control…demented, ignorant, a stone cold liar, or all of the above."

Every single one of those words apply to Hakeem, not Karoline.

He's flailing.pic.twitter.com/yOgNYdZS6j

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 17, 2025