White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a full-throated defense of President Donald Trump’s military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, characterizing it as a historic and necessary move to protect the United States and prevent nuclear escalation in the Middle East.
“The president is pleased, the country is pleased, and frankly the world should be pleased,” Leavitt said, touting the success of what she called one of the most daring and complex operations carried out in recent history. According to Leavitt, brave American pilots flew nearly 40 hours and 7,000 miles to eliminate critical elements of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
“This is an operation that presidents have dreamed about,” she declared, “but only President Trump had the guts to execute.”
The strike has been hailed by Trump supporters as a bold demonstration of “peace through strength” — a phrase Leavitt reminded viewers was coined by Trump himself. She underscored that the mission prevented Iran, which she labeled a “rogue, radical regime,” from reaching the nuclear threshold, an action she claimed will bring long-term stability to the region.
Still, the decision has not been without controversy, especially from within Trump’s own political orbit. Prominent figures on the right, including Steve Bannon and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, publicly urged restraint. Asked how the president weighed those voices, Leavitt said Trump carefully considered all perspectives but ultimately trusted the intelligence.
“He listened, as he always does,” she said. “But President Trump has been consistent his entire life — Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon. That was non-negotiable.”
Leavitt also addressed the president’s controversial Truth Social post that implied support for regime change in Iran, using the phrase “Make Iran Great Again.” Asked whether Trump was signaling an intent to topple the Iranian government, Leavitt clarified the administration’s stance.
“The president believes in the Iranian people’s right to determine their own future,” she explained. “But if the regime refuses diplomacy, it’s not unreasonable to question whether the Iranian people should continue living under such a violent and repressive government.”
She emphasized that the U.S. military posture has not changed and that Saturday’s strikes were highly targeted, precision operations aimed only at nuclear infrastructure.
Tensions around the operation also surfaced on Capitol Hill, where Democrats and some Republicans criticized the administration for failing to inform Congress in advance. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said lawmakers were left in the dark and should have been recalled to debate such an action.
Leavitt pushed back, stating that congressional leadership — including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer — was briefed prior to the strike. She claimed that a story suggesting otherwise had been retracted and dismissed Massie’s objections as more in line with Democratic talking points.
“President Trump acted fully within his legal authority as commander-in-chief,” she said. “We made courtesy calls. Some didn’t answer. But this was a lawful and necessary operation.”
On the issue of domestic security, Leavitt reassured the public that there was no specific or credible threat of retaliation, despite Iran’s vow for reprisals and the recent influx of Iranian nationals at the southern border. She noted that over 1,500 Iranians had crossed into the U.S. in recent years and emphasized Trump’s focus on homeland security.
“President Trump has taken historic steps to secure the border and ramp up deportations,” she said. “We’re monitoring the situation closely through DHS and working with state and local law enforcement.”
Leavitt also previewed Trump’s upcoming trip to NATO headquarters, where he is expected to push member nations to meet a new defense spending target of 5% of GDP — a significant jump from the current 2% goal.
“Our allies stepped up during his first term,” she said. “Now the bar is higher. We expect them to meet it.”
In a moment of high international tension, Leavitt’s remarks highlighted the administration’s belief that the strike on Iran was not only justified but essential. She concluded the interview by reaffirming Trump’s commitment to both strength abroad and safety at home.
“This is a time for clarity and courage,” Leavitt said. “And that’s exactly what the president has delivered.”
