A shocking new report has thrown the White House into turmoil after it emerged that a close relative of Karoline Leavitt — the youngest-ever White House press secretary and one of President Trump’s most trusted aides — has allegedly been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is now facing deportation. The revelation, which broke late Tuesday evening, has sparked a political firestorm, with critics calling it “a nightmare scenario” for an administration already under intense scrutiny over its immigration stance.
According to an exclusive investigation by Politico, ICE officials confirmed that a man identified as Michael Leavitt, reportedly a cousin of the press secretary, was detained last month in Massachusetts after authorities discovered inconsistencies in his immigration records. While details remain scarce, sources close to the situation say he is currently being held at a federal detention center in Boston and faces “imminent deportation proceedings.”
“This is not something the White House wanted leaking,” one senior Republican strategist told NBC News. “For someone in Leavitt’s position — the face of Trump’s messaging machine — this kind of personal connection to an immigration case is politically explosive.”
“Karoline Leavitt’s relative allegedly detained by ICE, facing deportation — raising questions about hypocrisy in Trump’s immigration policy.” @guardian
Leavitt, 27, has not publicly commented on the reports. However, two administration sources told CNN that she was “blindsided” by the news and is “devastated” by the situation. “Karoline is fiercely loyal to her family,” one aide said. “This has put her in an impossible position — she’s trying to support her loved one while also defending one of the toughest immigration agendas in modern history.”
The irony has not gone unnoticed. Social media exploded with commentary after the story broke, with thousands of users accusing the White House of hypocrisy. “So the same administration that’s deporting thousands of families every week now has its own press secretary’s relative caught in the system?” one post read on Reddit. “You can’t make this up.”
Others rushed to defend Leavitt, calling the situation “deeply human” and urging compassion. “She’s being dragged for something that’s not her fault,” a supporter wrote on X. “If anything, maybe this will make her rethink the cruelty of these policies.”
“‘This could become the next White House scandal — personal, emotional, and politically disastrous.’ — Political analyst reacts to Karoline Leavitt ICE story.” @Reuters
ICE officials declined to release specific details about the detainee’s case, citing privacy laws, but confirmed that “a male U.S. resident” connected to a high-profile government figure was taken into custody following an internal audit. “All individuals in violation of immigration law are subject to enforcement action,” an ICE spokesperson said in a statement to The Washington Post. “Our agency operates without bias or influence.”
The timing of the revelation couldn’t be worse for the Trump administration, which has doubled down on strict border enforcement and high-profile deportations ahead of the 2026 election cycle. “The optics are disastrous,” said a Democratic strategist speaking to The New York Times. “How do you stand behind a podium defending aggressive deportations when your own family member is in ICE custody?”
Leavitt’s close association with Trump — she served as his rapid-response director during the 2024 campaign before being appointed press secretary — has made her a lightning rod for both admiration and criticism. Her family’s entanglement in an immigration case could now threaten to overshadow her public role. “She’s built her brand on being the unapologetic defender of Trump’s America First agenda,” one former aide told Axios. “Now that agenda has come crashing into her personal life.”
“‘Karoline Leavitt is learning what countless Americans have learned: immigration policy hits home.’” @hollywoodreporter
Sources familiar with the case told The Boston Herald that Michael Leavitt has lived in the U.S. since he was a teenager and has worked in construction for over a decade. However, ICE records reportedly indicate a lapse in his legal residency status dating back several years. “It’s a technical violation that spiraled,” one source said. “But when politics are involved, nothing is ever just technical.”
Behind the scenes, allies of Leavitt are urging the administration to avoid commenting publicly until more details are confirmed. “The worst thing they can do is appear to interfere,” one Republican official warned. “But doing nothing also makes them look heartless.”
Meanwhile, critics say the story exposes the moral contradictions at the heart of current immigration enforcement. “This isn’t about one family,” said activist María Alvarez from the ACLU. “This is about how a system that destroys families is now turning inward — even on those who defend it.”
“‘When the system you protect comes for your own, it hits different.’ — Commenter on viral ICE story involving Karoline Leavitt’s family.” @guardianworld
As of tonight, neither Karoline nor the White House has released a formal statement, though insiders say “emergency briefings” were held at the West Wing to prepare for possible press inquiries. One source described the atmosphere as “tense and emotional.” “She’s shaken,” the source said. “She’s trying to be strong, but she’s terrified of how this could spiral — both for her family and for the administration.”
Whether the case will lead to disciplinary fallout or policy backlash remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: a deeply personal crisis has just collided with one of the most polarizing political issues in America — and it’s playing out under the unforgiving glare of the national spotlight.