White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a forceful rebuke to the liberal media’s narrative of surrender, making it unequivocally clear that the Trump Administration remains steadfast in its commitment to national security. In the face of a judicial order demanding the closure of the Dade-Collier detention facility, the administration’s resolve has not wavered. The press secretary’s remarks served as a powerful testament to a president who refuses to bow to the whims of activist judges and a hostile media apparatus that consistently prioritizes political correctness over the safety of American citizens.
When confronted by a reporter’s question suggesting the administration was “backing down,” Press Secretary Leavitt left no room for misinterpretation, stating with conviction, “We’re not backing down.” This simple, direct declaration cuts through the media’s preferred narrative of defeat and underscores a fundamental promise kept to the electorate. The administration’s strategy is one of principled, legal combat, not retreat. They are simultaneously adhering to the immediate requirements of the court while preparing a vigorous legal challenge, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the law that their critics often lack.
The administration’s position is that this facility, essential for detaining illegal immigrants, is a lawful and necessary tool in restoring order to the nation’s borders. The press secretary correctly identified the judge’s intervention as “an egregious political ruling” that has created “an unnecessary burden on the Department of Homeland Security.” This judicial overreach actively hinders the critical work of federal agents who, as Leavitt pointed out, “should be removing these criminals from our community.” The entire incident is a stark example of how the left-leaning judicial system seeks to obstruct the lawful policies the American people voted for when they elected President Donald Trump.
Leavitt expertly articulated the dual-path approach of the administration, a nuance often lost on its detractors. “We’ve always maintained, Gabe, we’re going to comply with court orders, but we’re also going to fight back on them on the merits of the law,” she explained. This statement highlights a key distinction: while the administration respects the rule of law enough to comply during an appeal, it possesses the courage to challenge rulings it believes are fundamentally flawed and politically motivated. This is not the action of an administration in retreat, but one strategically advancing on all fronts to fulfill its promises.
Further clarifying the procedural stance, Leavitt noted, “DHS is in compliance while we disagree with this decision, and we’ll continue to fight it in court.” This confirms that the relocation of detainees is a tactical, temporary measure required by the current legal moment, not an admission of defeat. The fight is far from over. The administration’s commitment to this battle reflects its broader dedication to enforcing the nation’s immigration laws—a central pillar of President Trump’s agenda—against any and all opposition from the liberal establishment.
Leavitt concluded this segment of her remarks by reaffirming the administration’s foundational belief in its mission, stating, “we know that what this administration is doing with respect to all policy, but also immigration policy, is above the books, and we’re abiding by our nation’s immigration laws.” This is a direct challenge to the false media portrayal of the administration as lawless. In reality, it is the activist judge who has operatically inserted themselves into the executive branch’s duly authorized operations, creating a dangerous precedent and undermining the will of the people.
Leavitt’s full response to the reporter’s question was as follows:
Reporter: “Last week, a judge on an environmental concerns lawsuit said that the administration has 60 days to wind down operations there. The administration has not been shy and fighting back against what it calls activist judges. But why is it backing down this time?”
Leavitt: “We’re not backing down. We’ve always said that we are going to continue to fight in the court of law for what’s right because we know that what this administration is doing with respect to all policy, but also immigration policy, is above the books, and we’re abiding by our nation’s immigration laws. And we think it’s despicable that an activist judge has inserted themselves in this migrant detention facility to the point where DHS is now having to relocate these illegal immigrants to other detention facilities around the country. That is an unnecessary burden on the Department of Homeland Security and these agents who should be removing these criminals from our community. That’s what the American people elected this President to do. So, we’ve always maintained, Gabe, we’re going to comply with court orders, but we’re also going to fight back on them on the merits of the law. And DHS is in compliance while we disagree with this decision, and we’ll continue to fight it in court.”