White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Labels Stacey Abrams' Authoritarianism Warnings as "Stupid"

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has publicly denounced comments made by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, calling her remarks on authoritarianism and deportations "stupid." The sharp criticism came during a recent Fox News appearance by Leavitt, following Abrams' statements on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Stacey Abrams had voiced concerns about the United States' trajectory towards autocracy, citing President Donald Trump's expanded executive power and the administration's stance on immigration. Abrams specifically highlighted the surge in ICE raids and deportations, stating, "You kidnap people off of the streets and pretend that’s normal, because that’s how you quiet dissent." She warned that the final step towards authoritarian rule would be when "you decide there won’t be new elections because everyone is either afraid, poor, broken, or complicit."

In a direct rebuttal, Karoline Leavitt dismissed Abrams' assertions. "I can’t believe I heard stupid Stacey Abrams say that deportations kill democracy," Leavitt stated on Fox News. She countered Abrams' argument by asserting, "News flash, Stacey: Wide-open borders kill democracy, and that’s what the American people voted against." Leavitt further criticized "radical Democratic leaders" for opposing the current administration's immigration crackdowns.

The exchange underscores a widening ideological chasm between conservative and progressive viewpoints on national security, immigration policy, and the health of democratic institutions. Abrams' warnings reflect a concern among some Democrats regarding the potential erosion of civil liberties and democratic norms.

Conversely, Leavitt's strong defense aligns with the Trump administration's focus on border enforcement and a more assertive approach to immigration. The White House press secretary emphasized that the "vast majority of this country supports deporting illegal criminals from our communities," framing the administration's actions as a response to public will. This public clash highlights the intense political polarization surrounding key policy debates in the lead-up to future elections.