President Donald Trump rejected a suggestion to expand the cramped White House press briefing room Monday, telling reporters, “I don’t want you to be comfortable.”
The exchange came moments after Trump announced sweeping measures to combat violent crime in the district, which include deploying the National Guard and placing the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. Trump dubbed the move “Liberation Day in D.C.”
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During the announcement, Trump marveled at the packed briefing room.
“I’ve never seen this room so packed. In fact, I’m sure it’s a violation of every fire code,” he joked.
Trump later invited White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to confirm whether it was the largest crowd she had seen.
“Where is Karoline? Where is my superstar? … Come here, Karoline. Is she doing a good job, by the way? Is this the largest crowd that you’ve ever seen?” Trump asked her.
“Yes, this is definitely the most packed briefing, and I think all of you would agree,” Leavitt said, adding with a grin, “That’s why we need to build a ballroom.”
Real America’s Voice reporter Brian Glenn seized on the moment.
“You are building a big, beautiful ballroom. Could we build a big, beautiful briefing room — more technology, more seats?” Glenn asked.
Trump didn’t hesitate to respond.
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“I don’t want to do that,” he said as the press corps laughed. “I don’t want you to be comfortable. No, I don’t want to make life comfortable.”
The moment offered a rare bit of levity during an otherwise serious announcement, during which Trump declared his intention to “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor — and worse.”