Washington, D.C. – September 10, 2025 – In a fiery White House press briefing today, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized reporters for what she described as selective outrage. She highlighted their extensive coverage of the Daniel Penny subway incident while allegedly overlooking the brutal stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“You covered Daniel Penny nonstop, yet ignore this tragedy,” Leavitt declared, pointing to what she called a blatant double standard in media narratives. Her remarks came amid broader discussions on public safety and criminal justice reforms under the Trump administration.
Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who had fled her war-torn homeland in search of safety, was fatally stabbed on August 22, 2025, while riding the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte. Surveillance footage captured the horrific random attack: Zarutska, still in her pizzeria work uniform after a late shift, was scrolling through her phone when the assailant, seated behind her, suddenly drew a knife and struck. She was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving her family and community in mourning.
The suspect, 34-year-old DeCarlo Brown Jr., was arrested shortly after and charged with first-degree murder. Authorities described the killing as unprovoked, with no prior connection between Zarutska and Brown. Brown has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 2011, including convictions for armed robbery, felony larceny, and breaking and entering. He had been released without bail earlier this year on unrelated charges—communicating threats and misuse of the 911 system—despite his history. Leavitt attributed that decision to “reckless” liberal policies that, she argued, prioritize offenders over victims.
“This beautiful, innocent young woman had fled her country for a chance at a safer life and a promising new beginning in the United States,” Leavitt said. “But tragically, the public transportation system in a major American city was more dangerous than the war zone she left behind. This is pure evil on full display, and it’s preventable.”
Leavitt drew parallels to the high-profile case of Daniel Penny, a former Marine acquitted in July 2025 of manslaughter charges after fatally choking Jordan Neely on a New York City subway in May 2023. Penny intervened when Neely, a homeless man, acted erratically and threatened passengers. Leavitt argued that the trial, which received wall-to-wall media attention, portrayed Penny as a vigilante, while Zarutska’s murder—“a story of a vulnerable immigrant victim and a repeat offender enabled by lax bail practices”—has been largely ignored by national outlets.
The press secretary tied the incident to President Donald Trump’s ongoing push for tougher criminal justice measures, including a recent executive order targeting jurisdictions with “cashless bail” systems. “Democrats, liberal judges, and the media want to downplay these tragedies because they don’t fit their preferred narrative,” Leavitt said. “We’re demanding justice for Iryna and all victims like her.”
The remarks have sparked both backlash and support. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, faced criticism for initially framing the stabbing as an issue of mental health and societal “safety nets” rather than accountability. After public outcry, including from Leavitt, Lyles issued a revised statement acknowledging “a tragic failure by the courts and magistrates” and announced enhanced security on the light rail system.
Republican lawmakers, such as North Carolina Rep. Brenden Jones, echoed Leavitt’s sentiments, criticizing Lyles for reportedly thanking media outlets for not recirculating the graphic footage. “Democrats in big cities are trying to cover up their crime problems,” Jones wrote on social media.
Media watchdogs and journalists defended their coverage, noting that local outlets such as WBTV and The Charlotte Observer have reported extensively on Zarutska’s death, including vigils and calls for transit safety improvements. They argued that national coverage has been more limited due to the story’s recency and its focus on local policy debates, rather than intentional bias.
As investigations continue, Zarutska’s family has called for systemic changes to better protect public transit users. A GoFundMe campaign for funeral expenses has raised more than $50,000, with donors remembering her as a “bright light” who dreamed of building a new life in America.
The case underscores ongoing national debates over immigration, crime, and media responsibility, as the Trump administration vows to prioritize “law and order” in its second term.
