Leavitt says Trump does not want Democratic lawmakers executed, following video that reminds service members to refuse illegal orders
The White House said today that Donald Trump does not want to see Democratic members of Congress executed. Earlier, the president fired off several posts on Truth Social accusing six Democrats of sedition, and saying that their behavior is “punishable by DEATH!”, after they posted a video telling members of the military that they are able to “refuse illegal orders”.
Notably, Trump also shared posts that called for the Democrats (all of whom are veterans or worked in the intelligence community) to be removed from office, arrested, or killed. One user, who the president reposted, wrote: “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”
Today, Leavitt said that lawmakers in the video “conspired” to encourage active duty service members to “defy the president’s lawful orders”.
“If they hear this radical message from sitting members of Congress,” the press secretary added, “that could inspire chaos, and that could incite violence, and it could certainly disrupt the chain of command.”
Leavitt went on to suggest that the Democrats’ actions were a double standard. “If this were Republican members of Congress … this entire room would be up in arms,” she said. Throughout the briefing, the press secretary offered no explanation for the threats of violence levied by the president.
Key events
The White House on Thursday backed Donald Trump’s “quiet, piggy” comment to a female reporter last week, claiming that this controversial statement was in keeping with his commitment to frankness.
“He calls out fake news when he sees it and gets frustrated with reporters who spread false information,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press conference, according to Reuters. “But he also provides unprecedented access to the press and answers questions on a near-daily basis.”
Leavitt’s comment was in response to an inquiry about the incident that unfolded when Bloomberg’s White House correspondent asked Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal during a question-and-answer opportunity aboard Air Force One.
As the reporter, Catherine Lucey, tried to question Trump, he pointed and remarked: “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.”
Reuters noted that Leavitt did not provide an example of false information that had been reporter.
New York governor Kathy Hochul joined other Democrats in praising New York Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, following the longtime representative’s retirement announcement.
“Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez is a trailblazer whose leadership has opened doors for generations of New Yorkers. As the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, she has never forgotten where she came from, and she has never stopped fighting for the people she serves,” Hochul said in a statement about her Democratic colleague.
“For more than three decades, she has led with unshakable purpose and delivered meaningful progress for women, veterans, immigrants and communities too often left behind,” Hochul also said.
“We became friends when I served with her in Congress, and I’ve continued to seek her wisdom as Governor. I thank her for her service and wish her nothing but the very best in this next chapter. She will continue making a difference in everything she does.”
Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student who had been detained by US immigration authorities, sued the Trump administration on Thursday for information on its communications with anti-Palestinian organizations prior to his arrest in March.
The Center for Constitutional Rights, which is representing Khalil, said these organizations have taken credit for his detention. According to the Center for Constitutional Rights, evidence–such as testimony from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official– indicates that Trump’s administration acted against Khalil and other activists based on information from these anti-Palestinian groups.
“For months, shady organizations and individuals carried out a smear and harassment campaign designed to intimidate and silence me,” Khalil said in a statement provided by the Center for Constitutional Rights. “The public deserves full accountability for every bad actor who helped make that possible, including those at Columbia who fabricated and amplified these smears and opened the door for state retaliation against Palestinian speech.”
Khalil is fighting the Trump administration’s push to deport him.
Trailblazing Democratic congresswoman Nydia Velázquez to make way for ‘a new generation of leaders'
Nydia Velázquez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York, announced on Thursday that she will not seek reelection in 2026 and instead retire at the end of her term.
Velázquez, 72, said in a statement that she had decided that it is time “for a new generation of leaders to step forward.”
In 1992, she became the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress and has represented parts of Brooklyn into Queens ever since.
Velázquez noted that she “grew up in a small town of sugar cane fields in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico” but moved to New York as a teenager to pursue a master’s degree.
“New York took me in, welcomed me, and presented possibilities,” she added. “I fell in love with its energy and with the people who make this city what it is. In New York, I found my voice, discovered my purpose, and dedicated myself to the fight for justice and opportunity.”
“New York’s recent mayoral election showed that American are hungry for change,” Velázquez wrote, in reference to the victory of Zohran Mamdani, the demicratic socialist she supported.
The congresswoman pledged to “continue fighting for the city I love and for an end to Puerto Rico’s colonial status.”
Michael Blake, a progressive who is challenging another New York City Democrat, Ritchie Torres, for a seat in Congress, responded to Velázquez’s announcement on social media by writing: “You are a guiding light & Inspiration Thank you for empowering generations to service”.
Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something, an organization that encourages young people to seek elected office, added: “A true force modeling selfless leadership – thank you for your service, Rep. Velazquez, and for making space for a new generation to step up.”
Federal judge accuses border patrol chief Greg Bovino of ‘outright lying' in testimony
In a written opinion issued on Thursday, US district judge Sara Ellis accused Greg Bovino, the border patrol chief who has become the face of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts, of “outright lying” in testimony about the use of force against protesters in Chicago during immigration sweeps.
“Turning to Bovino, the Court specifically finds his testimony not credible,” the federal judge wrote. “Bovino appeared evasive over the three days of his deposition, either providing ‘cute’ responses to Plaintiffs’ counsel’s questions or outright lying.”
The judge then listed multiple examples of false claims from Bovino that were directly contradicted by video evidence reviewed in court. Ellis wrote [citations to specific pieces of video evidence have been removed for clarity]:
When shown a video of agents hitting Rev. Black with pepper balls, Bovino denied seeing a projectile hit Rev. Black in the head. … In another video shown to Bovino, he obviously tackles Scott Blackburn, one of Plaintiffs’ declarants. … But instead of admitting to using force against Blackburn, Bovino denied it and instead stated that force was used against him. …
Most tellingly, Bovino admitted in his deposition that he lied multiple times about the events that occurred in Little Village that prompted him to throw tear gas at protesters. As discussed further below, Bovino and DHS have represented that a rock hit Bovino in the helmet before he threw tear gas. … Bovino was asked about this during his deposition, which took place over three days. On the first day, Bovino admitted that he was not hit with a rock until after he had deployed tear gas. … Bovino then offered a new justification for his use of chemical munitions, testifying that he only threw tear gas after he “had received a projectile, a rock,” which “almost hit” him. … Despite being presented with video evidence that did not show a rock thrown at him before he launched the first tear gas canister, Bovino nonetheless maintained his testimony throughout the first and second days of his deposition…. But on November 4, 2025, the final session of his deposition, Bovino admitted that he was again “mistaken” and that no rock was thrown at him before he deployed the first tear gas canister.
In a footnote, the judge pointed out that body-camera video revealed that, “in at least one instance, an agent asked ChatGPT to compile a narrative for a report based off of a brief sentence about an encounter and several images.”
“To the extent that agents use ChatGPT to create their use of force reports, this further undermines their credibility and may explain the inaccuracy of these reports”, Ellis wrote.
Here's a recap of the day so far
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The White House said today that Donald Trump does not want to see Democratic members of Congress executed. Earlier, the president fired off several posts on Truth Social accusing six Democrats of sedition, and saying that their behavior is “punishable by DEATH!”, after they posted a video telling members of the military that they are able to “refuse illegal orders”. Notably, Trump also shared posts that called for the Democrats to be removed from office, arrested, or killed. One user, who the president reposted, wrote: “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!” Today, press secretary Karolin Leavitt said that lawmakers in the video “conspired” to encourage active duty service members to “defy the president’s lawful orders”.
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The six Democratic members of Congress who took part in the video, all of whom are veterans or worked in the intelligence community, said they would not be intimidated by the president’s comments. “Our service members should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty,” they wrote in a statement. Meanwhile, House Democratic leadership condemned Trump’s comments. “Political violence has no place in America,” said House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic whip Katherine Clark and Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar said. “Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed,” they added.
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said he will negotiate with Donald Trump on a US-backed peace plan that called on Kyiv to make painful concessions in order to end the Kremlin’s invasion of his country. Zelenskyy’s office on Thursday confirmed that he had received the draft peace plan, which was prepared by US and Russian officials, and that he would speak with Trump in the coming days about “existing diplomatic opportunities and the main points that are necessary for peace”. In a statement, Zelenskyy’s office added: “We agreed to work on the points of the plan so that it would bring a worthy end to the war.”
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A federal judge temporarily halted Donald Trump’s deployment of national guard troops to Washington DC. District judge Jia Cobb, an appointee of Joe Biden, temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying troops to enforce the law in the nation’s capital without approval from its mayor. The ruling applies to the roughly 2,000 members of the guard who were deployed to DC, when Trump instituted a crime crackdown at the end of the summer. Her decision won’t take effect until 11 December, to allow the administration time to appeal.
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Also today, Donald Trump and JD Vance were snubbed, by not being invited to Dick Cheney’s funeral. Cheney, the former vice-president to George W Bush, and a Republican defense hawk who became a fierce critic of the current US president, died earlier this month at the age of 84. At his service today, attended by several high-profile political figures, his daughter, Liz Cheney, delivered a eulogy. Without overtly attacking the president she alluded to her father’s role in her decision to lead the effort to hold Trump to account for his role in the January 6 insurrection by his supporters. A reminder that Cheney is the former Republican congresswoman who served as the vice-chair of the House January 6 committee and was deeply critical of Trump’s role in the Capitol riot.
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The US jobs market added 119,000 jobs in September, according to the latest monthly jobs report, which was delayed by six weeks due to the shutdown of the federal government. Amid heightened uncertainty surrounding the strength of the US economy, the much-anticipated reading was stronger than the 51,000 jobs expected by analysts to be added in September. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, remained steady at 4.4%.
Federal judge blocks Trump's deployment of national guard to DC
A federal judge temporarily halted Donald Trump’s deployment of national guard troops to Washington DC. District judge Jia Cobb, an appointee of Joe Biden, temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying troops to enforce the law in the nation’s capital without approval from its mayor.
The ruling applies to the roughly 2,000 members of the guard who were deployed to DC, when Trump instituted a crime crackdown at the end of the summer. Her decision won’t take effect until 11 December, to allow the administration time to appeal.
Zelenskyy to negotiate with Trump over US-Russia peace deal requiring painful concessions
My colleagues, Luke Harding and Andrew Roth, report that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said he will negotiate with Donald Trump on a US-backed peace plan that called on Kyiv to make painful concessions in order to end the Kremlin’s invasion of his country.
Zelenskyy’s office on Thursday confirmed that he had received the draft peace plan, which was prepared by US and Russian officials, and that he would speak with Trump in the coming days about “existing diplomatic opportunities and the main points that are necessary for peace”.
“We agreed to work on the points of the plan so that it would bring a worthy end to the war,” Zelenskyy’s office said in a statement.
The cautious response from Ukraine’s presidential administration followed angry denouncements of the plan by some Ukrainian officials who called it “absurd” and unacceptable. Zelenskyy’s public statement came as he held talks on Thursday with a high-ranking US military delegation, led by the army secretary Dan Driscoll.
Meanwhile, House Democratic leadership condemned Trump’s comments. “Political violence has no place in America,” said House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic whip Katherine Clark and Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar in a statement.
“We have been in contact with the House serjeant at arms and the United States Capitol Police to ensure the safety of these Members and their families. Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed,” they added.
‘This is a time for moral clarity': Democratic lawmakers defend video, as Trump says behavior is ‘punishable by death'
The six Democratic members of Congress who took part in the video, which reminds active duty members of the military and intelligence community that they are able to “refuse illegal orders”, said that the president’s posts on social media – which include deeming their conduct “punishable by death” – will not deter them.
“Our service members should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty,” they wrote in a statement. “Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity.”
The video that incited a social media outburst from Donald Trump included messages from the following Democratic lawmakers:
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Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA intelligence officer
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Senator Mark Kelly, a former navy captain
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Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a former intelligence officer
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Congressman Chris Deluzio, a former navy officer
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Congressman Jason Crow, a former paratrooper and army ranger
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Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, a former air force officer
“Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution,” they said in the direct-to-camera video. “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law.”
They go on to say: “We know this is hard, and it’s a difficult time to be a public servant … we need you to stand up for our laws, our constitution, and who we are as Americans.”
Leavitt says Trump does not want Democratic lawmakers executed, following video that reminds service members to refuse illegal orders
The White House said today that Donald Trump does not want to see Democratic members of Congress executed. Earlier, the president fired off several posts on Truth Social accusing six Democrats of sedition, and saying that their behavior is “punishable by DEATH!”, after they posted a video telling members of the military that they are able to “refuse illegal orders”.
Notably, Trump also shared posts that called for the Democrats (all of whom are veterans or worked in the intelligence community) to be removed from office, arrested, or killed. One user, who the president reposted, wrote: “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”
Today, Leavitt said that lawmakers in the video “conspired” to encourage active duty service members to “defy the president’s lawful orders”.
“If they hear this radical message from sitting members of Congress,” the press secretary added, “that could inspire chaos, and that could incite violence, and it could certainly disrupt the chain of command.”
Leavitt went on to suggest that the Democrats’ actions were a double standard. “If this were Republican members of Congress … this entire room would be up in arms,” she said. Throughout the briefing, the press secretary offered no explanation for the threats of violence levied by the president.
White House says Mamdani meeting is a testament that Trump is ‘willing to meet with anyone'
Karoline Leavitt said that she “didn’t want to get ahead” of the president as he prepares for a meeting with New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
“I also think it speaks to the fact that president Trump is willing to meet with anyone and talk to anyone and to try to do what’s right on behalf of the American people,” Leavitt said, while continuing to refer to Mamdani as a communist.
In response to a question from a reporter, McMahon said that she is in touch with “probably a dozen members of Congress” in an attempt to codify her changes to the Department of Education.
Standing beside Leavitt today is the education secretary, Linda McMahon. Earlier this week, the Department of Education (ED) announced a move to outsource several of its functions to other agencies. It’s part of the administration’s plan to dismantle the ED entirely.
“The Democrats’ government shutdown made it painfully obvious that American families do not need the Department of Education,” Leavitt noted in the briefing room.
McMahon explained that the six interagency agreements are an attempt to cut out “bureaucratic bloat” and “shift educational authority from Washington DC, to your state education agency, your local superintendent, your local school board entities that are accountable to you.”
Karoline Leavitt kicks off her press briefing today, touting the latest (delayed) jobs report. “In particular, construction jobs surged by 19,000 in September, the largest monthly gain in a year,” Leavitt said. “Nearly all of this solid monthly job growth came from the private sector and went to Americans rather than foreign born workers.”
We’re due to hear from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt momentarily. We’ll bring you the latest lines from the briefing here.
In her eulogy, which appeared to carry subtle digs at Donald Trump – who was reportedly not invited to Dick Cheney’s funeral, Liz Cheney spoke of her father’s devotion to the US, which she called “deep and substantive.”
“He spent his life studying the history of our great republic. He knew you couldn’t truly appreciate what it means to live in freedom if you didn’t understand the sacrifices of the generations who came before, and he made sure that his children and grandchildren understood this too,” she said.
Cheney, who has previously condemened Trump over his involvement in the January 6 riots across Capitol Hill and has called him a “fascist,” went on to talk about memories from her father as he flew over Washington DC after becoming secretary of defense in 1989.
“He described departing from the Pentagon. ‘As my helicopter lifted off the Pentagon helipad, I could look across the river to the great monuments of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln, to the White House and the Capitol building where all the great decisions that have shaped 200 years of American history were made. And I could look directly out on Arlington national cemetery and remember what a terrible price 1000s of brave Americans have paid so that all of us could enjoy the blessings of liberty,’” Cheney said.
Cheney , a vocal critic of Trump’s administrations, served as the Republican vice chair of the House January 6 special committee despite political peril which saw her ostracized from the Republican party. She has also said that Trump’s “election fraud claims were false,” adding: “No president can defy the rule of law and act this way in a constitutional republic, period – comments that stand in stark contrast to her eulogy that hailed father’s public service towards the US.
Liz Cheney: ‘Defense of constitution and defense of your political party was no choice at all'
Dick Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, just delivered her eulogy.
“He wouldn’t force his opinion on you or demand you do things his way. He might not share his opinion at all if he didn’t ask. In fact, he was known to go long stretches of time without saying a single word,” said Liz Cheney.
“But if you watched closely, if you asked questions, you listened when he did speak, you had the experience of seeing the world opening up in front of you, of looking at things in new ways, of benefiting from his clarity of thought, his ability to crystallize what was important and what wasn’t,” she continued.
Liz Cheney went on to say: “Though he was inspired to service by president [John F] Kennedy, Dick Cheney became a Republican, but he knew that bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans. For him, a choice between defense of the Constitution and defense of your political party was no choice at all.”
