Administrative changes brought about by President Donald Trump’s election are many, not the least of which is the introduction of Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary. Leavitt brings operational shifts, but she also presents an opportunity for the administration to show its consistency — a quality not often associated with Trump.
Leavitt, a 27-year-old mother of an infant, embodies the “pro-family” formation stance touted by the Trump campaign. Vice President JD Vance had frequent recourse to the argument that current child care policies pigeonhole families into “one particular family model.” While his aim is true, keeping skeptics on board will require some proof that Vance is politically unbiased toward the traditional model he favors.
Leavitt, then, has a two-shot opportunity: She can be normal and womanly onstage in a public position, and she can back up Vance’s claim that he and Trump are pro-family and pro-parental choice — provided the choices are honorable choices, in contrast to the soon-restricted transgender procedures.
It will not require much on Leavitt’s part. If the new standard for press secretary is to appoint a woman, as seems to be the pattern, then appearance, as well as content, is on the table. This is just the reality. What Leavitt will have to do is maintain her roles as both a press secretary and a mother.
As for content, the difference in conduct from former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was immediately noticeable during Leavitt’s first briefing. It was indeed a “breath of fresh air” in terms of the clarity and forthrightness Leavitt set in motion. But there is no use in denying the obvious: Leavitt differs also in what she presents for herself. Even as DEI dwindles, representation will continue to hold some weight.
Part of the welcome change is aesthetic. Authentic motherhood has been at stake for a while, and renewing the culture means bringing traditional marriage, overall, back to the fore. Second lady Usha Vance has a similar opportunity to elevate motherhood and make the country more family-friendly.
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Leavitt is somewhat of an exception to this model, though, as a strong proponent of working motherhood. Press secretary is one of the more demanding and stressful jobs one can have, and she has a 6-month-old son. Even with financial resources on her side, Leavitt chooses to balance her time.
But this aspect, paradoxically, is key to making stay-at-home motherhood more possible. No matter one’s opinion on the optimal route for mothers’ work choices, it is fair to say that a multioption system is the way to open up possibilities. This vision is what Trump and Vance presented before the election, and it is what they are proving to inculcate.
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
