Burleigh is a feminist. She wrote that Bill Clinton's impeachment was led by a small faction of Republicans who had no real concern about the underlying allegations of sexual harassment. She believes Clinton's pro-choice position on abortion and the role his wife Hillary Clinton played in his administration angered Republicans. In an interview with the Washington Post, Burleigh said, "I'd be happy to give him (President Bill Clinton) a blowjob just to thank him for keeping abortion legal." Matthew Yglesias (November 03, 2007) - The Crazy Years Burleigh also stated she had interviewed several women, including Paula Jones and Gennifer Flowers, who had alleged having had willing or unwilling relationships with Clinton, and she believed that many of his alleged "victims" were probably quite willing and in some cases, even initiators. She also said that she didn't think the middle-aged, male beltway gang, at the time calling for Clinton's head over sexual misconduct, actually had the credentials or personal experience to know sexual harassment when they saw it. Burleigh has continued to criticize conservatives in numerous political blogs and essays.

Burleigh's mother is an Assyrian from the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. She has written about her visits to Iraq, both as a child visiting relatives and as a journalist, on numerous occasions.

Burleigh is married to Erik Freeland, a photographer. They and their two children live in New York City.