Leavitt rips ‘stupid question’ over Trump’s stance on protests
The White House recently responded to a question regarding President Donald Trump’s support for free speech and peaceful protests, labeling it a “stupid question.” During a press briefing, White house Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed that the president backs peaceful protests and the First Amendment, while emphasizing that he does not support violence. This clarification comes after Trump had previously warned that anyone protesting against his military parade in Washington, D.C. would be met with significant force, indicating a lack of distinction between peaceful and violent demonstrators. Leavitt stressed that both the right to protest and concerns over violence are significant to the president, especially considering ongoing riots in Los Angeles. As nationwide “No Kings” protests are planned for the same day as Trump’s military parade, the discussion of protest rights continues to be a significant topic.
White House slams ‘stupid question’ over Trump’s support for peaceful protests
The White House slammed a question on Wednesday about whether President Donald Trump backs free speech and the First Amendment.
“Of course, the president supports peaceful protests,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during the afternoon news briefing. “What a stupid question.”
.@PressSec nukes the Fake News: “Of course the President supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question.”
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dOB8wtSV55
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 11, 2025
Still, Leavitt fielded several reporters’ questions about the Los Angeles riots.
Trump raised eyebrows the day before by saying anyone who protests his planned military parade on Saturday in Washington, D.C., would be “met with very big force,” making no distinction between peaceful and violent protests.
“They will be met with very heavy force,” Trump added.
Leavitt tried to clear things up on Wednesday, saying Trump “absolutely” supports peaceful protests and the First Amendment but does not support violence of any kind.
Later on, another reporter brought up the topic again, asking why Trump has not emphasized the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters and inquiring whether free speech or stopping violence was most important to him.
Leavitt chose both.
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“Two things can be important at the same time,” she said. “The president, as I just answered, supports the right of Americans to peacefully protest. He supports the First Amendment. But that is not the majority of the behavior that we have seen taking place in Los Angeles.”
Nationwide “No Kings” protests are scheduled for Saturday, the same day as the Trump-ordered military parade in D.C. and the president’s 79th birthday.
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