White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks as Patty Morin, Rachel Morin’s mother, stands by her side, during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein© provided by RawStory

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt flatly rejected a reporter seeking to ask a question after the mother of Rachel Morin finished delivering emotional remarks during a news briefing at the White House.

Patty Morin gave a deeply emotional and graphic account of her daughter’s brutal killing at the hands of an undocumented immigrant. She recounted the evidence presented at the trial, including the physical injuries Rachel endured.

“This person took my daughter. So violently and gruesomely and so graphically that they sealed the pictures because I don’t want my granddaughters to see these pictures. These are the kinds of criminals President [Donald] Trump wants to remove from our country. These are the kind of criminals we need to remove from our country.”

Morin called for protecting both families and borders.

“Why are we not protecting the American citizens? It is common sense. Why are we not protecting our children?” she asked.

After her remarks, Leavitt took the podium and thanked Morin, who teared up, for her comments.

“I just want to say that as a mother and American citizen, the president and our entire team — and I hope people in this room—are grateful for your willingness to come here and your request to share your daughter’s story. And I think the country hears you loud and clear,” said Leavitt.

She then asked, “Does anyone have questions for Patty or me?”

“No?” asked Leavitt.

“I have a question,” a reporter can be heard replying.

But Leavitt refused to hear it.

“No. Anybody?” she replied, looking at the reporter before looking around and walking away. “We’ll see you all later.”