White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a briefing with reporters — 11/4/2025

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided YouTube video transcript, maintaining the original language and technical precision:

Key Concepts

• Government Shutdown: A situation where non-essential government functions cease due to a failure of Congress to pass appropriations bills.
• Clean Continuing Resolution (CR): A bill that extends government funding at current levels without any riders or controversial provisions.
• Obstructionism: The act of deliberately hindering or preventing progress, particularly in legislative processes.
• Air Traffic Controllers: Professionals responsible for managing air traffic to ensure safety and efficiency.
• TSA (Transportation Security Administration): The agency responsible for security at US airports.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): A federal program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
• Contingency Fund: A reserve of money set aside for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
• Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Groups designated by the US government as posing a threat to national security.
• Antifa: An anti-fascist political movement.
• Filibuster: A legislative procedure where a senator can delay or block a vote on a bill or other measure.
• Executive Authority: The powers granted to the President of the United States by the Constitution and laws.
• Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported goods.
• Universal Mail-in Voting: A system where all registered voters automatically receive a mail-in ballot.
• Weaponization of Government: The alleged use of government agencies or powers for political or personal gain, often to target opponents.
• Most Favored Nations (MFN) Status: A trade principle that requires a country to grant the same trade privileges to all other countries with which it has MFN status.

Government Shutdown and its Impact

The transcript details the ongoing government shutdown, which is stated to be on its 35th day and on track to become the longest in American history. The speaker attributes this shutdown to "Democrat obstructionism" and argues that Democrats are intentionally harming American families, workers, and businesses to advocate for "free healthcare for illegal aliens" and appease their "radical left-wing base."

Key Impacts Discussed:

• Flight Disruptions: Significant flight delays and disruptions occurred over the weekend due to staffing shortages at airports. On Sunday alone, over 5,000 flights were delayed.
• Air Traffic Control Staffing: Staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities have quadrupled compared to the previous year. Over 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay, facing the prospect of missing a second consecutive paycheck.
• TSA Wait Times: TSA checkpoint wait times at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport exceeded 3 hours, with some passengers waiting up to 5 hours. At William P. Hobby Airport, wait times routinely exceeded 1 hour.
• Economic Losses: The travel industry has warned that the shutdown has already cost the American travel economy $4 billion. Nearly 500 companies and groups in the travel business have signed a public letter calling for the passage of the Republican CR.
• Industry Support for Republican Bill: The nation's four largest airlines (United, Delta, American, and Southwest) and major unions representing tens of thousands of pilots have endorsed the Republican, nonpartisan clean funding bill to end the shutdown.

The speaker emphasizes that only five Democrat senators are needed to "put country over party" and vote to reopen the government.

President Trump's Accomplishments and Agenda

The transcript then shifts to a review of President Trump's accomplishments, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of his election victory. The speaker highlights his promise-keeping and outlines several key achievements:

• Tax Cuts: Signed the largest middle-class tax cut in history, including provisions for no tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
• Border Security: Ended the "southern border invasion," made the border the "most secure in history," and is carrying out the "largest mass deportation campaign of illegal aliens."
• Combating Drug Cartels: Declared drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and took action against them.
• Economic Policy: Defeated the "Biden inflation crisis" and implemented a "pro-growth America first economic agenda." Inflation is reported to be low and steady at an average of 2.5%, compared to 5% under Biden. Real private sector wages are projected to rise by almost $1,500 since President Trump took office, contrasting with a decline during the Biden years.
• Energy Dominance: Ended the "reckless war on American energy," leading to plummeting gas prices to their lowest average levels in over four years.
• Trade Policy: Implemented powerful tariffs to rebalance trade deals, protect American workers, and restore the US as a manufacturing superpower. This has resulted in trillions of dollars in private and foreign investments, creating high-paying jobs.
• Foreign Policy: Restored America's leadership through a "peace through strength" foreign policy, ending eight wars.
• Government Reform: Ended "illegal DEI initiatives" in the federal government and is returning the country to a "merit-based society."
• Women's Sports: Protected opportunities for women and girls to compete safely and fairly by keeping men out of women's sports.

Q&A Session and Specific Issues

The latter part of the transcript consists of a Q&A session with reporters, addressing various current events and policy matters.

1. Assassination of Mayor Carlos Monso in Mexico:

• The administration is aware of the assassination and condemns all political violence.
• While respecting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the US is "continually pushing Mexico to do more to tackle the drug trafficking and the drug cartels."
• The US is working with Mexico and has used "full range of executive options" to crack down on drug trafficking and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

2. Antifa as a Foreign Terrorist Organization:

• The process of designating Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization is "most definitely taking place." No specific announcements were made, but the administration is working on it.

3. Allegations of Voter Intimidation:

• Comments by a Democrat blaming President Trump for bomb threats and intimidation at polling locations are called "completely irresponsible" and based on "zero evidence."
• This is seen as an example of the Democrat party standing for nothing but against President Trump.

4. The Filibuster:

• President Trump is "very realistic and strong" in his position on the filibuster, believing Republicans need to "play tough and they need to play smart."
• There's a concern that Democrats would eliminate the filibuster if they regain power to implement policies like packing the Supreme Court, granting statehood to DC and Puerto Rico, and making mail-in balloting permanent.
• The administration believes Republicans should move as much legislation as possible in the next three years, and the filibuster is a means to that end.

5. SNAP Benefits and the Government Shutdown:

• President Trump's tweet stating SNAP benefits would only be given out when Democrats open the government is clarified.
• The administration is complying with a court order to expend SNAP contingency funds.
• However, it will take time to disburse the money because Democrats have forced the administration into an "untenable position" by requiring them to tap into a contingency fund meant for emergencies.
• The contingency fund has only $5 billion, while the full program requires $9 billion.
• Democrats are accused of holding up full SNAP benefits and making it difficult for the administration to disburse payments.

6. Potential Funding Cuts to New York:

• The administration will not get ahead of election results or speak to future actions regarding potential funding cuts to New York.

7. Exclusion of Democratic Lawmakers from Briefings:

• Congress has been briefed on US strikes against alleged drug trafficking operations eight separate times, including Democrats.
• Secretary Rubio is scheduled to brief the "gang of 12," which includes Democrats.

8. Back Pay for Furloughed Workers:

• The administration is "very much open to discussing" back pay for furloughed workers with Democrats as part of continuing resolution negotiations.
• This is a possibility being discussed, despite a law signed in 2019.

9. President Trump's Personal Efforts to End the Shutdown:

• President Trump is pushing Republicans to vote to reopen the government.
• He met with Senate Majority Leader and House Caucus Leader early on to encourage them to avoid the shutdown.
• Democrats are accused of playing "partisan politics" with the federal government.
• The president's position has been to reopen the government since day one.
• He needs five "common sense Democrats with a little bit of courage" to vote with Republicans.

10. California Voting and Mail-in Ballots:

• President Trump posted that voting in California is "rigged."
• The White House is working on an executive order to "strengthen our elections" and prevent "blatant fraud" associated with universal mail-in voting, which is described as "ripe for fraud."
• Evidence of fraudulent ballots being mailed in the names of others and illegal aliens is claimed to exist and will be provided.
• Any executive order signed by the president is within his full executive authority and the confines of the law.

11. Seizure of President Trump's Phone Records:

• The administration refers further questions to the Department of Justice.
• This is seen as "further evidence of the egregious overreach and weaponization of government" by the Biden White House and DOJ against President Trump.

12. President Trump's Feelings as a New Yorker:

• President Trump is a New Yorker who loves his home and has made his thoughts on the election clear.

13. Meeting with President of Syria:

• The meeting with President Bashar al-Assad was not confirmed for Monday.
• This is part of the president's diplomatic efforts to meet with anyone in pursuit of peace.
• The administration has seen "good progress" on peace in Syria under their new leadership.

14. President Trump's Involvement in Negotiations and SNAP Authorities:

• The president is in "constant communication" with Republican leaders on Capitol Hill.
• He is prepared to sign a clean continuing resolution if a deal is reached.
• Regarding SNAP, the administration is complying with the court order and getting partial payments out as quickly as possible, but it will take time. The best way to get full benefits is for Democrats to reopen the government.

15. Threat to Nigeria Regarding Christian Persecution:

• If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the US will "immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria" and "may take action to wipe out the Islamic terrorists."
• The president is watching the situation closely.

16. Endorsement of Andrew Cuomo and Glenn Youngkin:

• The White House is limited in what it can say about ongoing political elections.

17. India-US Citizenship/Relationship:

• President Trump feels "very positive and strongly" about the India-US relationship.
• He recently spoke with Prime Minister Modi and celebrated Diwali at the White House.
• Discussions with India regarding trade are ongoing.

18. Air Traffic Controller Crisis and Flight Cancellations:

• The administration is encouraging Democrats to reopen the federal government to end the chaos in the air traffic control system.
• The statement "Short of planes falling out of the sky, we are not going to reopen the government" is attributed to a Democrat staffer and called "reckless and dangerous."
• The goal is to resume travel safely and efficiently, especially with the upcoming holiday travel season.

19. Death of Dick Cheney:

• The White House is not involved in funeral arrangements yet.
• Flags have been lowered to half-staff.

20. Political Capital for Filibuster Stance:

• President Trump will continue to engage "very strongly and consistently" with his friends on Capitol Hill.
• Republicans need to "play tough" to pass legislation, including election integrity reforms, tax policy, and immigration system fixes.

21. Pardon of Binance Founder:

• President Trump meant he does not know the individual "personally" and does not have a "personal relationship."
• Pardons are taken with utmost seriousness, and the White House has a thorough review process.
• The president is focused on pardoning individuals "abused and used by the Biden Department of Justice" and "overprosecuted by a weaponized DOJ."
• The pardon is seen as correcting a wrong and ending the Biden administration's "war on the cryptocurrency industry."

22. Discussion on Back Pay for Furloughed Workers:

• Republicans are discussing this with Democrats, and the administration will comply with laws and court rulings.

23. Supreme Court Challenge to Trump's Tariff Policy:

• The White House is preparing for "plan B" but is "100% confident" in the legal argument.
• The president must have emergency authority to utilize tariffs, which have led to peace deals, trillions in investments, and a $600 billion deficit reduction.
• This case is about emergency authorization for tariffs for future presidents.

24. President Trump's MRI:

• The president is in "optimal physical health."
• This was a follow-up appointment, and a detailed readout of his physical was provided.

25. Mediation Efforts in Sudan:

• The US is actively engaged in efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution in Sudan, working with international partners.
• The administration is committed to a negotiated peace process addressing humanitarian and political challenges.

26. US Troops to Mexico:

• This is not something that would be confirmed from the podium if it were happening.

27. President Trump's Absence from Supreme Court Hearing:

• President Trump is traveling to Miami for an economic address.
• Secretary Scott Pruitt will attend the hearing at the president's request.

28. Nvidia Chip Exports to China:

• The president's position is clear: the most advanced chips, like the Blackwell chip, are not for sale to China at this time.

29. Virginia/New Jersey Election Results:

• The administration will not comment on election results or get ahead of them.

30. Prompt for SNAP Tweet:

• The president is well-read on the news and aware of the government shutdown and the jeopardy to SNAP benefits due to Democrats.
• He wants to make it clear that Democrats should open the government for easier and more efficient disbursement of funds.

31. Ozempic Negotiations:

• The administration has been engaged in bringing down drug prices, including exploring options for weight loss drugs.
• The president is committed to lowering drug costs.

32. Reopening of White House Public Tours:

• Public tours will resume on Tuesday, December 2nd, with an updated route due to ballroom construction.

Conclusion

The transcript presents a strong defense of President Trump's policies and actions, framing the current government shutdown as a partisan obstruction by Democrats. It highlights the negative consequences of the shutdown on critical sectors like air travel and emphasizes the administration's commitment to economic growth, border security, and national security through various policy initiatives. The Q&A session addresses a range of current events, reinforcing the administration's positions and rebutting criticisms. The overarching message is one of strong leadership, effective policy implementation, and a commitment to "making America great again."