TYB
WH Press Secy. Karoline Leavitt Prays With Staff Before Press Briefing: ‘My Faith Is Incredibly Important To Me’
10:03 AM – Saturday, April 12, 2025
Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history, began her work in the White House as an intern during President Trump’s first term, later becoming an assistant press secretary under former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
Last month, Leavitt opened up about her faith during an interview with CBN News, stating that she prays before every briefing.
“I think that team prayer before is just a moment to be silent and still and ask God for confidence and the ability to articulate my words, knowledge, prayer, protection, and it is a nice moment to reset. It’s the last thing I do before I go out there, and then it just gives me the confidence to do a briefing,” she said.
She went on to state that her faith is “incredibly important.”
“My faith is incredibly important to me. I would argue now more than ever, being in a role that is very demanding and at times controversial, and there’s a lot of public pressure and discussion online about who you are and your family. And you know, it could be difficult for someone who doesn’t have faith but with faith, all things are possible,” she told CBN.
“Lord Jesus, please give us the strength, the knowledge, the ability to articulate our words and have fun and be confident. In Jesus’ name. Amen,” Leavitt says in the video.
amen
https://www.oann.com/newsroom/wh-press-secy-karoline-leavitt-prays-with-staff-before-press-briefing-my-faith-is-incredibly-important-to-me/
NJ charges 39 people including councilman in gambling investigation linked to crime family
Thirty-nine people, including a Passaic County councilman, have been charged for their roles in a North Jersey gambling operation that generated $3 million in illegal funds, state officials said Friday.
The defendants are facing charges of racketeering, conspiracy to promote gambling, money laundering and other gambling offenses, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a news conference Friday morning. The charges were the culmination of a two-year investigation into alleged illegal activities tied to organized crime.
Platkin's announcement comes two days after law enforcement officials executed search warrants at a dozen locations throughout North Jersey, including poker clubs in Totowa, Garfield, and Woodland Park.Among those arrested were Anand Shah, 42, a Prospect Park borough councilman.
The high-level managers included several alleged members of the Lucchese crime family. Among those arrested this week were George Zappola, 65, of Red Bank; Joseph Perna, 56, of Belleville; John Perna, 47, of Little Falls; and Wayne Cross, 75, of Spring Lake.
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2025/04/11/nj-gambling-investigation-39-arrests-including-councilman/83040980007/