On April 28, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Border Czar Tom Homan held a press conference in the James S. Brady Briefing Room to discuss President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and celebrate the administration’s first 100 days.
The focus was heavily on border security, with Homan delivering strong remarks about the previous administration’s approach and touting current successes.
Tom Homan on Biden and Border Security
Tom Homan, a former Border Patrol agent with over 40 years of experience, criticized President Joe Biden’s border policies, accusing him of intentionally weakening border security.
He emphasized that every president he worked under, from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama, took border security seriously, but claimed Biden was an exception. Homan argued that Biden’s policies led to a surge in illegal crossings, which strained resources and compromised national security.
Tom Homan Stated:
“Biden was the first president in the history of this nation who came into office and unsecured the border on purpose.”
Homan highlighted the Trump administration’s achievements, stating that illegal border crossings dropped by 96% since Trump took office in January 2025.
He credited this to stronger enforcement, strategic communication with regional partners, and policies like ending the “catch and release” practice. He also noted that the current border is “the most secure in the history of this nation.”
Other Points from the Press Conference
- Largest Deportation Campaign in History
- Description: Leavitt and Homan discussed Operation Tidal Wave, described as the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. They reported deporting 100,000 illegal immigrants by early April, with plans to continue targeting public safety and national security threats. Leavitt emphasized that ICE officers, previously “vilified” under Biden, are now empowered to do their jobs.
- Operation Tidal Wave is named to reflect the overwhelming force and scale of the deportation effort, drawing inspiration from a World War II air raid, symbolizing a swift and decisive action against illegal immigration. This naming choice underscores the administration’s aggressive stance.
- Economic Relief and Deregulation
- Description: Leavitt highlighted Trump’s executive orders aimed at lowering costs for Americans. These include directives to reduce Biden-era regulations, which she claimed added a $55,000 tax burden per household through compliance costs. Deregulation efforts are intended to boost economic growth and put money back into Americans’ pockets.
- Energy Dominance
- Description: Leavitt announced Trump’s executive order declaring a national energy emergency to increase domestic energy production. This aims to reduce energy costs, a key driver of inflation, and make America “energy dominant.” The administration expects a “Trump energy boom” to benefit consumers.
- Restoring Press Access
- Description: Leavitt outlined changes to the White House press room, including restoring press passes for 440 journalists revoked under Biden and opening credentials to new media voices like podcasters and influencers. This aligns with the administration’s commitment to the First Amendment and adapting to the 2025 media landscape.
- Freeze on Federal Spending
- Description: Leavitt discussed a temporary pause on federal funding, hiring, and foreign aid to ensure responsible spending. She criticized the Biden administration’s “drunken sailor” spending habits, which she said fueled inflation. The freeze aims to account for every penny and prioritize American taxpayers.
Additional Important Information
- Context of Border Security Claims: While Homan claimed a 96% drop in illegal crossings, fact-checkers like PolitiFact noted the figure may be closer to 60% when comparing Biden’s last week to Trump’s first week, due to differences in data collection and the termination of the CBP One App, which allowed legal asylum claims at ports of entry.
- Homan’s Background: As a polarizing figure, Homan served as acting ICE director from 2017 to 2018 and was a key architect of Trump’s family separation policy. His tough stance on immigration, including advocating for mass deportations, has drawn criticism for being harsh but praise from supporters for prioritizing security.
- Public Sentiment: Posts on X reflected strong support among some users for Homan’s remarks, with sentiments echoing his view that Biden’s policies were a deliberate betrayal of national security. However, these posts are not conclusive evidence and reflect a specific audience’s perspective.
The press conference underscored the Trump administration’s focus on immigration as a cornerstone of its first 100 days.
Homan’s remarks framed Biden’s policies as a deliberate failure, rallying supporters while drawing scrutiny from critics who question the feasibility and humanity of mass deportations.
The additional points on economic relief, energy, and press access highlight a broader agenda to reverse Biden-era policies and prioritize American interests.
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