WASHINGTON – During a White House press briefing on April 22, 2025, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed members of the media, outlining several significant actions and upcoming events for the Trump administration.
The briefing covered a range of topics, including a major shift in federal student loan policy, details on President Trump’s international travel schedule, regulatory updates, and the administration’s claims regarding border security.
Federal Student Loan Policy Shift
Press Secretary Leavitt announced that the Trump administration is ending attempts at student loan bailouts. Consequently, the Department of Education is set to resume involuntary collections for borrowers with defaulted federal student loans. This change is scheduled to take effect on May 5th.
Leavitt highlighted the scale of the federal student loan portfolio, which is noted as nearly $1.6 trillion. She added that, according to the administration’s data, fewer than four out of ten borrowers are currently in repayment.
President Trump’s Upcoming Travel
The Press Secretary provided details on President Trump’s near-term international engagements. President Trump is scheduled to travel to Rome later in the week to attend a funeral.
Following the Rome visit, the President’s itinerary includes a trip to the Middle East. President Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13th to May 16th.
Meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister
Domestically, President Trump is set to host the Norwegian Prime Minister at the White House on April 24th. The meeting is expected to cover discussions on trade and regional security. Leavitt noted that this marks the 13th head of state visit of President Trump’s current term.
Administration Claims on Border Security
A significant portion of the briefing was dedicated to the administration’s assertions regarding decreases in border crossings. Press Secretary Leavitt cited reporting from both the Wall Street Journal, mentioning a “Trump effect,” and the Washington Times in support of these claims.
According to data presented from US Customs and Border Protection, the southwest border recorded the lowest level of crossings in history during March. Additionally, a main hotspot area on the northern border reportedly saw a 95% drop in crossings in March compared to March 2024.
Leavitt also addressed the practice of “catch and release,” stating that it has reportedly dropped by 99.99% under Trump. She provided specific figures, noting that 20 illegal aliens were caught and released in February, a stark contrast to the 189,641 recorded in December 2023.
Regulatory Updates
The briefing also included updates on regulatory actions. The FDA has reportedly pulled its plan to ban menthol cigarettes. In another expected move, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, RFK Jr., is anticipated to announce a ban on artificial dyes.
Federal Employee Reclassification
Finally, Press Secretary Leavitt mentioned that the President has initiated the process of reclassifying more than 50,000 federal employees as Schedule F. This administrative action could potentially impact the civil service structure.
The briefing provided a comprehensive overview of the administration’s immediate priorities and upcoming activities across domestic policy, international relations, and regulatory affairs.
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