On his ninth day, Donald Trump’s new administration finally summoned the White House press corps to the Brady Briefing Room. It was vintage Trump.

For close to an hour on Tuesday, the youngest White House press secretary in history, Karoline Leavitt, decried legacy media, disparaged the Biden administration and personally insulted the former president. At one point she said that Joe Biden probably hadn’t taken presidential action on  the price of eggs because he was “upstairs in the residence sleeping.”

That’s right. She bore false witness against her neighbor while wearing a cross around her neck declaring her Christian beliefs. Leavitt also said she was committed to telling the truth while speaking on behalf of President Donald Trump. So if he lies, as he does on a daily basis, will she repeat it? She didn’t say and no one asked. I guess she thinks she can have it both ways. 

Other things that went unasked and unanswered? No one asked how the president, through an executive order, could freeze government spending. The Constitution specifically states that Congress has the job of imposing taxes and spending money, giving it what is colloquially known as “the power of the purse.” On Wednesday, the White House rescinded that budget memo, which had sparked confusion and multiple legal challenges. To create still more confusion, Leavitt said later on Wednesday afternoon that while the memo had been rescinded, the actions of the president remained in full force. Hello?

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No one asked Leavitt to explain why she believes birthright citizenship is unconstitutional when the 14th Amendment states things clearly: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States of the state wherein they reside.”

Many members of the press seemed ecstatic to be in the briefing room. They took selfies. They laughed. The room was packed. At least half of them beamed and smiled and offered Leavitt fulsome thanks, especially the “content providers” to whom she offered seats along the wall that are usually reserved for White House staff. One of those folks lauded her efforts, saying she was doing a great job. Only April Ryan gave her a deadpan, sober salutation: “Welcome to the briefing room.” 

There was a time when White House briefings didn’t include fawning reporters eager to be seen and heard as they bowed and scraped in front of the press secretary. I have to admit, that was long ago.

Many members of the "press" seemed ecstatic to be in the briefing room. They took selfies. They laughed. The room was packed, and at least half of them were beaming and smiling and offering Karoline Leavitt fulsome thanks.

Sam Donaldson, Helen Thomas and scores of others whom I looked up to and learned from as a young reporter were among the best. They asked tough questions. They spoke truth to power. They broke stories. They informed the world. A ringside seat at the White House was something earned through........

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