'Jeopardy!' Champ Amy Schneider Gives Impromptu Press Briefing At White House

“Jeopardy!” champion Amy Schneider headed to the White House on Thursday to mark the Transgender Day of Visibility.

The former software engineer from Oakland California, 42, surprised her followers when she revealed that she had taken a trip to Washington D.C. to visit the house. While she was there, she spoke with Doug Emhoff and denounced the recent anti-LGBTQ legislation currently underway throughout the United States, including the polarizing “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

There are over twenty-five different pieces of legislation being proposed by Republican state governments that seek to restrict transgender children from obtaining gender-affirming healthcare. Many southern states, including Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee, have also implemented bans against transgender athletes.

In a brief interview with reporters, Amy said that this recent wave of conservative legislation is “really scary.”

“Some of them, in particular, are denying medical services to trans youth,” she said. “Those are life-saving medical treatments. These bills could cause the deaths of children, and that's really sad to me, and it's really frightening."

Schneider said that she was “really honored to be here and really grateful that this was being celebrated, that the Trans people are being celebrated in a place like this.”

She summed up her speech with encouragement for trans youth.

“Hang in there,” she said. “I think that this backlash right now is temporary. I think that the country overall is on our side, and getting more so every day, and I think it's not going to be too long until these sorts of bills are seen as a thing of the past.”

The full three-minute video was shared by CSPAN on Twitter and can be watched above, along with Amy’s caption: “So, um, this happened. They did *not* tell me I would be asked questions, but put me on a stage and I just can’t help but perform lol.”

She added a note about her hair in the comments. “Note about my hair: it was very windy today in DC. Also my hair is just like that lol.”

Many fans expressed support for Amy Schneider in the comments of her post.

“Great courage and good answers it comes from the heart I can tell,” one fan wrote in the comments. “I'm just a little old lady of 67 but I believe in what you're trying to say and what you are doing good for you stand up for your beliefs and don't let anyone bully you.”

“They should have given you a buzzer while you were up there...” one fan joked. “'Your opinion on state anti-transgender bills?’ ‘What is dangerous and soon to be a thing of the past?’

“They know the power of putting you behind a podium,” another shared.

“You are the BEST!!” another wrote. “As the mom of a trans kid who is just beginning to explore and understand her identity, I’m so grateful for you.”

Another commented, “This is so needed.”

Amy Schneider also shared some behind-the-scenes pictures before her big speech.

On Thursday morning, she surprised her followers when she announced that she had been invited to the White House.

“I know I haven’t been posting a lot on here, but I’ve been traveling all over the country these past few weeks. This morning, for instance, we’re getting ready to visit, well… THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!” she revealed.

“It’s hard to believe this is really happening,” she added.

Later that morning, she also visited the Secretary of War Room and posted a picture for her fans who were curious to see inside.

“Hanging out in what is apparently the Secretary of War Room,” she wrote. “The US hasn’t had a Secretary of War for decades, but if we ever have one again, their office is still ready I guess.”

Amy also mentioned on the podium that the Tournament of Champions will air in November. Although fans have yet to receive an official confirmation, the tweet above was retweeted by Ken Jennings, which seems good enough verification for most fans!