White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlights the success of President Trump’s federal takeover of DC during a press briefing – August 19, 2025 (Photo by TGP/Jordan Conradson)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will field questions from reporters today in the aftermath of Wednesday’s shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church.
As The Gateway Pundit reported, a transgender gunman opened fire, shooting through the windows of the church at Annunciation Catholic School as students attended mass during the first week of the school year.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the shooter, a male in his early 20s, opened fire on children as they attended mass at the school, killing at least two children and injuring 14 children and three adults. Police say he was armed with three guns: a rifle, a shotgun, and a handgun.
The shooter, who killed himself at the scene, posted a manifesto on YouTube before the shooting, showing his gun collection with scribbled words on the barrel and magazines, including “kill Donald Trump.” The video also showed a body target on his wall with an image of Jesus Christ on the head of the target.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on Wednesday that the FBI is investigating the shooting as domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics.
Today’s briefing also comes as President Trump’s federal takeover of Washington, DC, finishes its third week.
President Trump’s federalization of the DC Metropolitan Police force and deployment of the National Guard to ensure public safety in the notoriously high-crime capital began on August 11.
Trump also deployed federal law enforcement agents across the capital on August 7.
Even DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has acknowledged the success of the initiative, citing the 87% decrease in carjackings and 15% drop in overall crime since Trump took over earlier this month.
Now the President is taking aim at and considering deploying the National Guard in other cities like Baltimore, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.
As The Gateway Pundit reported, President Trump told reporters on Friday, “I think Chicago will be our next, and then we’ll help with New York.” He added, “Now, you look at what the Democrats have done to San Francisco. They’ve destroyed it… We’ll clean that one up, too.”
The briefing is scheduled to begin at 1 pm ET.
Watch live below:
The post WATCH LIVE: White House Press Secretary Delivers Briefing After Catholic Church Shooting by Trangender Man – 1 PM ET appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
