“I think it’s pitiful for an elected member of Congress to say that about a woman who he’s never even met,” Leavitt responded.
Mere days into his first term, Congressman Dave Min (CA CD-47) felt inspired to take shots at White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Twitter/X. The Democrat, who now represents the constituents in Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Seal Beach, has faced no shortage of criticism in response to his post, wherein he accuses Leavitt—whom he has never met—of being a “fake Christian.”
“Karoline Leavitt is a Fake Christian, like so many in this Golden Calf administration,” said Rep. Min following a press briefing detailing President Trump’s federal funding order. He then further mocked her for “while wearing a giant cross to let everyone know how pious and moral she is.”
“I think it’s pitiful for an elected member of Congress to say that about a woman who he’s never even met,” Leavitt responded to the New York Post. “My faith, my marriage, my family life—it’s everything to me.”
Leavitt, who is the youngest White House Press Secretary in the nation’s history, is not shy about her spirituality. She has discussed at great length the importance of her Catholic education and why she believes it shaped her into who she is today: “My Christian faith is a huge part of my life.”
“Central Catholic High School was an incredible place. It taught me discipline, it brought me closer in my own relationship with God, and it also taught me the importance of public service and giving back to your community,” Leavitt said after her appointment. “My faith in God carries me through. I wake up every day and say my prayers and ask God to give me the strength I need to power through another day.”
Community responses under Min’s post show over 1,700 responses—the vast majority of which are coming to Leavitt’s defense—but only 160 likes. That is an appalling ratio for a post with over 316,000 views.
“Maybe Mr. Min should worry about the people of California and take care of their problems,” writes one user. “It is too much to ask for him to mind his own business, since he wants to deflect what’s going on in his state and the ways of taxpayers money.”
Another asked if Rep. Min would “dare to make a similar comment if Ms. Leavitt (or any other public figure) wore a Star of David,” pointing out that attacking anyone on the basis of their faith—Christian, Jewish, or otherwise—is unbecoming of a Congressman. They then add that it is “wonderful to see a young person as Ms. Leavitt with the poise and confidence being shown.”
Others were quick to bring up Rep. Min’s recent DUI and subsequent three year probation sentence—all of which happened during his Congressional campaign—to suggest the Democrat is in no position to lecture others about morality or piety. Among them was popular Twitter/X account LibsofTikTok, which has a notable following of over 4.2 million.
Public ridicule has also now extended far beyond Twitter/X, where the controversy first began.
“Dave Min’s shameful anti-Christian attack marks a new low even for him. Min’s ongoing meltdown makes clear he’s more focused on scoring MSNBC bookings than lowering taxes or crime for Orange County,” commented National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Ben Petersen.
“You know she’s a woman too. And White. Why not make fun of her for those things too while you’re at it,” writes an anonymous Congressional staffer who also felt compelled to call out Rep. Min for his behavior.
As of yet, Rep. Min has yet to apologize or delete his initial post.
