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Amanda Head presses White House on anti-semitic terrorism, vaccine religious exemptions in 'new media' seat

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Amanda Head was selected to sit in the 'new media' seat at the White House Press Briefing hosted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Head asked two questions relating to the relevant news of the day.

By:

Furthermore Pod Staff

June 3, 2025

Today at the White House Press Briefing, Furthermore Podcast Host and Investigative Journalist Amanda Head joined the White House Press Corp in the "new media" seat, posing two bold questions to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Head pressed the Trump Administration on its response to rising antisemitic violence, as well as the controversial Democrat-led state restrictions on religious vaccine exemptions, especially for school aged children.

Amanda opened by referencing a disturbing wave of violent incidents, including the deadly stabbing of Israeli embassy staff, the arson at Pennsylvania’s governor’s mansion while the state’s Jewish governor was inside, and the recent attack in Boulder, Colorado. “Does the president consider this domestic terrorism,” she asked, “and as such, are there official alerts to law enforcement, task forces, things like that?”

Press Secretary Leavitt confirmed the Administration does consider such acts as terrorism, stating that, “this Administration has done more to combat that violence than any administration in history.” She added that President Trump “will stand up for Americans of all religions” and is committed to supporting policy efforts aimed at protecting Jewish Americans.

Head’s second question tackled another growing concern for families: the issue of religious exemptions for childhood vaccines. Citing the February creation of a federal commission to reexamine the vaccine schedule, Head noted that several states, including California, Connecticut, and Maine still ban religious exemptions not only for school attendance, but for participation in sports and extracurriculars.

“What the President wants to see [are] religious exemptions allowed across all 50 states,” Head stated, asking how enforcement would be handled, particularly in liberally defiant states like California.

Leavitt responded, “The President supports religious exemptions for families when it comes to vaccinations.” She said this Administration would look into the specific state cases mentioned and evaluate potential executive actions.

Amanda Head’s line of questioning drew praise online for pressing the White House on issues often overlooked in corporate media coverage. Both moments will be featured and analyzed in depth in the next episode of Furthermore with Amanda Head, which will be published on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

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