Karoline Leavitt slams ABC, CBS, NBC for ‘despicable’ coverage of Sheridan Gorman killing

WASHINGTON, DC: Karoline Leavitt didn’t hold back as she took aim at major broadcast networks during a press briefing on Monday, calling their coverage of Sheridan Gorman’s killing “despicable” and deeply inadequate.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, March 30, Leavitt addressed the case while responding to a question about potential changes in deportation and asylum policies under newly appointed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

She made it clear that, despite leadership changes, the administration’s stance remains unchanged.

Leavitt defends deportation policy amid DHS leadership change

Leavitt stressed that the administration is still focused on removing dangerous individuals from the country.

“While there has, of course, been a change in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security with former senator, now Secretary Mullin joining the president’s cabinet, I can assure the American people there has not been a change in policy,” she said.

“It has always been the policy of this president and this administration to deport the worst of the worst illegal alien criminals from our communities”, she added.

According to Leavitt, this approach is not just policy-driven but also necessary for public safety.

“It’s something that is overwhelmingly popular with the American people, and it’s something that is necessary to protect our homeland and to prevent deaths of Americans in our country,” Leavitt said.

Sheridan Gorman case becomes focal point in Leavitt's briefing

Leavitt brought up the killing of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman as a recent example to support her argument. She described the incident as a tragic loss that could have been prevented.

“Just last week, Sheridan Gorman, a young woman in Chicago, was shot and killed on the street walking with her friends outside of her university by a illegal alien from Venezuela, who had no right to be here in the first place,” she said.

Her remarks quickly shifted toward criticism of Democrats, whom she accused of weakening the very systems meant to prevent such incidents.

She called it “despicable” that lawmakers are “currently defunding the department that’s responsible for removing illegal aliens like that,” referencing the ongoing standoff over DHS funding.

Leavitt calls out the media for inadequate coverage of Sheridan Gorman killing

The sharpest part of Leavitt’s comments was directed at the media. She accused ABC, CBS, and NBC of failing to give adequate attention to Gorman’s death.

“I would also add, it’s despicable the lack of coverage of this young woman’s case, of her life and the way that it was tragically cut short,” she said.

Leavitt then cited a survey she had seen over the weekend and held up a screenshot during the briefing to illustrate her point.

“This is the media coverage of the case of Sheridan Gorman,” she explained. “You have ABC News has spent 1 minute and 19 seconds, between two days when this case was first alerted. You have CBS, 2 minutes and 1 second. You have NBC, 23 seconds spent on the life of a young, beautiful American woman whose life was taken short by an illegal alien who should have never been here in the first place.”

“I think her life was worth more than 23 seconds on cable television”, she added,

Leavitt also pointed out that the limited coverage comes at a time when immigration policy is front and center in Washington. “I think the people in this room have a responsibility to report on cases like this, because it just exemplifies why the president believes so strongly in deporting illegal aliens from our communities,” she said.

Media criticism continues amid broader tensions

This is not the first time the administration has taken aim at the media. The White House has previously launched efforts like the “Media Offender of the Week” initiative to call out coverage it disagrees with.

Leavitt’s remarks also touched on tensions involving media organizations and political figures.

While criticizing CBS, she referenced ongoing scrutiny around its leadership and perceived ties to the administration.

Despite those alleged connections, President Donald Trump had earlier pushed back on claims of any favorable treatment, writing on Truth Social that “‘60 Minutes’ has treated me far worse since the so-called ‘takeover’ than they have ever treated me before.”