White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt just delivered a verbal smackdown that could be heard from D.C. to Delaware.

The fiery exchange unfolded during a briefing on Tuesday, centered on President Donald Trump’s upcoming military parade this Saturday. As reported by the Daily Mail, the event marks the Army’s 250th anniversary and coincides with the president’s 79th birthday.

During the briefing, Jasmine Wright from NOTUS, a nonprofit journalism outfit, dared to ask if peaceful protests would be permitted during the parade. Leavitt didn’t mince words, snapping, “Of course the president supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question.”

Leavitt Stands Firm on First Amendment

Now, let’s unpack that zinger—calling a question “stupid” might sting, but Leavitt quickly clarified the administration’s stance. She emphasized that Trump “absolutely supports peaceful protests” and stands by the First Amendment, though she drew a hard line against violence or attacks on law enforcement.

Wright had pressed for clarity on what kind of protests Trump deems acceptable, a fair query given the president’s Tuesday warning that demonstrators at the parade would face a “very big force.” Leavitt doubled down, stating Trump’s position is crystal clear, unlike some Democratic leaders who, in her view, have muddled the line on unrest.

Speaking of unrest, Leavitt pointed to ongoing protests in Los Angeles over Trump’s mass deportation policy as a stark contrast to peaceful dissent. She even flashed photos of burning cars to drive home the chaos, justifying the president’s move to federalize California’s National Guard and deploy U.S. Marines.

Trump’s Strong Stance on Parade Security

Trump himself isn’t pulling punches, having called some Los Angeles protesters “people who despise our nation” and even suggesting they might be “paid insurrectionists.” It’s a tough statement, but one that signals zero tolerance for disruption during Saturday’s parade along Constitution Avenue and at the Ellipse.

Security is already ramping up in D.C., with fencing around the White House, Capitol, and key roadways. Meanwhile, the “No Kings” movement, planning nationwide demonstrations to coincide with the parade, has wisely urged supporters to protest in Philadelphia or suburban Maryland and Virginia instead of central D.C.

Back at the briefing, Leavitt faced another pointed question about whether Trump sees himself as a “king.” Her response was straightforward: “The president views himself as the president of the United States of America,” reminding everyone this is a constitutional republic, not a monarchy.

National Guard Deployment Sparks Controversy

The briefing, clocking in at a brisk 26 minutes, also tackled the fallout from Trump’s decision to override California Gov. Gavin Newsom on the National Guard deployment. Leavitt noted Trump gave Newsom a 24-hour window to “get it together” before acting, though she dodged committing to seeking other Democratic governors’ consent for similar moves.

Newsom, unsurprisingly, has sued over the federalization, arguing Trump overstepped his authority. It’s a classic state-versus-federal power clash, and Leavitt’s quip that law enforcement has been “kneecapped by incompetent Democrat policies” didn’t exactly pour oil on troubled waters.

Protests aren’t just a West Coast issue—demonstrations over the deportation plan have flared in New York and Chicago too. Leavitt’s focus on images of “foreign flags” waved by rioters in L.A. paints a picture of disorder that the administration clearly wants to stamp out.

Balancing Rights and Order in D.C.

One reporter, David Sanger of The New York Times, pushed Leavitt on why Trump hasn’t been more vocal about protecting peaceful protesters. Her response? “Two things can be important at the same time,” affirming support for free expression while underscoring that the violence in L.A. overshadows much of the current protest landscape.

Let’s be real—balancing First Amendment rights with public safety is a tightrope walk, especially during a high-profile event like this parade. Trump’s preview of the celebration at Fort Bragg on Tuesday shows he’s all in on a grand display, but the specter of dissent looms large.

Ultimately, Leavitt’s sharp retort to a reporter’s question underscores a broader tension: how to honor free speech without letting chaos reign. This Saturday’s parade will test that balance, and with security tightened and protest organizers redirecting crowds, the nation will be watching to see if D.C. stays a stage for celebration or becomes a battleground for clashing ideals.