By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-white-houses-holds-news-briefing-as-trump-prepares-to-make-autism-announcement Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: White House briefing addresses Trump’s Bondi social media post, autism announcement Politics Updated on Sep 22, 2025 5:34 PM EST — Published on Sep 22, 2025 1:16 PM EST White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is denying that President Donald Trump is attempting to weaponize the Justice Department by urging his attorney general to go after his perceived political foes. Watch the White House briefing in the player above. Leavitt was asked at a White House briefing Monday about a social media post over the weekend that Trump directed at Attorney General Pam Bondi in which he demanded action on investigations related to public officials including former FBI Director James Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. His post came one day after the top federal prosecutor in charge of the Eastern District of Virginia resigned his position amid pressure to bring charges against James in a mortgage fraud investigation. READ MORE: Trump administration suggests acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism. Experts say a link between the two is unproven Leavitt told reporters at the White House that Trump was merely trying to demand accountability. She denied that he had weaponized the Justice Department and instead blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for having done that. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is denying that President Donald Trump is attempting to weaponize the Justice Department by urging his attorney general to go after his perceived political foes. Watch the White House briefing in the player above. Leavitt was asked at a White House briefing Monday about a social media post over the weekend that Trump directed at Attorney General Pam Bondi in which he demanded action on investigations related to public officials including former FBI Director James Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. His post came one day after the top federal prosecutor in charge of the Eastern District of Virginia resigned his position amid pressure to bring charges against James in a mortgage fraud investigation. READ MORE: Trump administration suggests acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism. Experts say a link between the two is unproven Leavitt told reporters at the White House that Trump was merely trying to demand accountability. She denied that he had weaponized the Justice Department and instead blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for having done that. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now