Month: November 2025

The Trump administration on Thursday ordered an extensive review of green card holders from 19 countries the government classifies as security concerns, announcing the move just one day after two National Guard members were ambushed near the White House.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the directive came directly from President Trump. In a statement on X, Edlow wrote, “At the direction of @POTUS, I have directed a full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.” He added that safeguarding the country “remains paramount” and that the U.S. would not continue “the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies.”

The list of nations flagged for heightened screening was outlined in a June administration memo and includes Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Venezuela, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Burundi.

The decision follows Wednesday’s attack in downtown Washington, where National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot near the Farragut West Metro station. President Trump announced Thursday night that Beckstrom had died, while Wolfe remained in critical condition.

Authorities identified the suspected gunman as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden-era resettlement program for Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces during the war.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said her office is reviewing the suspect’s immigration record and the vetting conducted prior to his arrival. The administration later confirmed that Lakanwal was granted asylum this April, after Trump returned to office.

FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators are examining the suspect’s past ties to U.S.-partnered Afghan units, noting that “This subject had a relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces.” The CIA also confirmed he previously worked with a U.S.-supported team in Kandahar before the 2021 withdrawal.

Family members told NBC News that Lakanwal had served alongside U.S. Special Forces for a decade and was living with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington, before driving cross-country shortly before the attack.

In response, the Trump administration immediately suspended all pending immigration requests involving Afghan nationals. Homeland Security officials said they are also reviewing all asylum approvals issued under Biden-era policies and an earlier court settlement that sped up Afghan asylum processing.

Separately, the administration this week ordered USCIS to “re-interview” roughly 200,000 refugees who entered the United States in recent years—part of a broader effort to reassess vetting procedures. Officials indicated that refugee protections could be revoked if new concerns surface.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Lakanwal. He has been charged with multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, though additional charges are expected following Beckstrom’s death.

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President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that one of the West Virginia National Guard soldiers wounded in what authorities have described as a deliberate attack near the White House has died.

U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries hours after she and fellow Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot while patrolling near the Farragut West Metro station on Wednesday afternoon. Beckstrom’s death, he said, occurred just before his planned holiday call with deployed U.S. troops. Calling her a “highly respected, young, magnificent person,” Trump told service members, “She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us.” Wolfe, he added, “is fighting for his life” and remains in critical condition.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro issued a statement shortly afterward, honoring Beckstrom as a hero who “volunteered to serve DC on Thanksgiving for people she never met.” She wrote, “May she rest in peace. It is now time to avenge her death and secure justice.”

Beckstrom enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard in June 2023, where she served as a military police soldier with the 863rd Military Police Company. The commander of the Joint Task Force District of Columbia confirmed Army National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom’s death in a statement Thursday night, hailing her as “a hero.”  Col. Larry Doane said in a statement: “This is a devastating loss to our National Guard family. Spc. Sarah Beckstrom came to the District from West Virginia to make our nation’s capital safe and beautiful. She is a hero and we mourn her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones and with the West Virginia National Guard.”

Federal officials say the shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday when the suspect — identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal — allegedly approached the Guardsmen and opened fire with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Pirro said the shooter first struck one soldier at close range, leaned over, fired again, then shot the second Guardsman repeatedly. Nearby National Guard members responded immediately, confronting and ultimately wounding the attacker before taking him into custody. Lakanwal, 29, was hospitalized under guard.

Authorities described the attack as both “brazen” and “targeted,” noting that investigators believe the suspect drove from Washington state with the intention of harming Guard personnel. FBI Director Kash Patel said the shooting is now part of an “ongoing investigation of terrorism.” Patel confirmed that investigators have executed multiple search warrants across the country, including at the suspect’s residence in Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children. Agents have interviewed family members and associates both there and in San Diego.

According to federal officials, Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 through a Biden administration resettlement initiative and was granted asylum in 2024. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Lakanwal previously worked with “a partner force in Kandahar” alongside U.S. government personnel before the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Patel said authorities are scrutinizing the suspect’s background and any potential connections overseas or within the United States. Evidence from the scene has been sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico as part of what he described as a “coast-to-coast investigation.”

The National Guard remains a major component of the administration’s security strategy for Washington, with more than 2,000 personnel assigned to the city.  Trump said “millions of Americans” were praying for the soldiers’ families. “Unfortunately,” he added, “two families are shattered and destroyed and torn apart as the result of the actions of one man.”

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The United States has made significant strides toward a potential resolution to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, with multiple U.S. officials confirming this week that Kyiv has agreed to the broad terms of a U.S.-brokered proposal. While a final deal is not yet complete, negotiations have accelerated across Geneva and Abu Dhabi as American officials shuttle between Ukrainian and Russian delegations.

A senior U.S. official told both ABC News and CBS News that Ukraine had “agreed to a peace deal,” adding, that “there are some minor details to be sorted out but they have agreed to a peace deal.” According to officials familiar with the process, the understanding was reached during weekend talks in Geneva rather than in the United Arab Emirates, where follow-up discussions are now taking place.

Talks in Switzerland were led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. During the Geneva sessions, the U.S. presented Ukraine with a revised peace plan — pared down from 28 provisions to 19 — after removing proposed clauses involving wartime amnesty and limits on the size of Ukraine’s future armed forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later said further refinement would still be needed.

Following the Geneva meetings, Rubio returned to Washington while Driscoll flew to Abu Dhabi for a previously undisclosed session with a Russian delegation. Additional sources confirmed that Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s intelligence chief, was also in the UAE, meeting with U.S. officials and potentially preparing for contact with Russian counterparts.

A group of senior Army leaders — including Gen. Randy George, Gen. Chris Donahue, Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer and Lt. Gen. Curtis Buzzard — accompanied Driscoll on the Ukraine trip, though they have not taken part in the high-level peace negotiations.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Tolbert, speaking for the U.S. Army, said Tuesday that “Late Monday and throughout Tuesday, Secretary Driscoll and team have been in discussions with the Russian delegation to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine,” noting that the talks appeared to be progressing. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that optimism, saying a handful of “delicate, but not insurmountable” issues still needed resolution.

Moscow has not publicly confirmed its presence in Abu Dhabi. Russian officials had earlier stated they were still waiting to see the revisions made in Geneva. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters that while Russia “appreciates the U.S.’ position,” it would not comment in detail until Washington updated Moscow on consultations with Kyiv and European partners.

Lavrov emphasized that Russia expected the new proposal to align with principles shaped during Trump and Putin’s meeting in Alaska in August, stating that the “key proposals of Trump’s plan are based on understandings reached in Anchorage,” and warning that “If there will be no spirit and letter of Anchorage on the key understandings that we have fixated, then it will be a different situation in principle.”

Ukraine’s national security adviser, Rustem Umerov, confirmed that negotiators had reached a shared understanding of the plan’s “core terms,” with consultations involving the U.S., European partners and Ukrainian officials continuing. He said Kyiv now hopes to arrange a visit for Zelenskyy to the United States “at the earliest suitable date in November” to complete the deal with President Trump.

Despite the momentum, the White House says no Zelenskyy–Trump meeting has been scheduled. Russia has offered no direct comment on whether it accepts the emerging terms.

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Virginia authorities have intensified their search for Union High School head football coach Travis Turner, who vanished last week just as investigators prepared to question him in a child exploitation probe. Turner, 46, is now the subject of ten felony warrants — five for possession of child pornography and five for using a computer to solicit a minor — issued Monday and publicly announced Tuesday by the Virginia State Police.

Police say they first attempted to reach Turner at his Appalachia home on Thursday as part of an ongoing inquiry, but learned he had already disappeared. Troopers were not seeking to arrest him at that time, officials emphasized. He was formally reported missing the following day, triggering a regional manhunt that now includes drones, K-9 teams and search-and-rescue units operating across several jurisdictions. Authorities describe Turner as a fugitive and say their primary goal is “locating Turner safely.”

The case has rattled the far southwest Virginia community, where Union High School — with roughly 660 students — has been preparing for a deep postseason run. Turner, the long-time coach of the undefeated Bears, went missing just as the team was gearing up for its playoff opener. The squad won that game and the following weekend’s matchup without him, advancing to the Region 2D final scheduled for Saturday. Assistant coach Jay Edwards has stepped in as interim coach during Turner’s absence.

State Police spokesperson Robin Lawson confirmed Tuesday that the investigation is active and “additional charges are pending.” Officials have not said whether any potential victims are connected to the school. A newly surfaced video believed to be Turner’s last public appearance — an on-field interview after Union’s Nov. 15 playoff win — showed him discussing his players’ resilience. “I thought our kids adjusted, played hard and overcame some adversity,” he said. “There was no panic. We just continued the course and played football.”

Wise County Public Schools, which earlier placed an unnamed staff member on administrative leave pending the review of an external allegation, has now acknowledged that charges have been filed against that employee. Superintendent Mike Goforth said, “The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,” adding that the division is cooperating with law enforcement but cannot provide further comment because it is a personnel matter.

Turner, who also teaches physical education, was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses, according to police. His disappearance has prompted emotional appeals from those close to him. In a statement provided by the family’s attorney, Adrian Collins, loved ones urged the public to avoid rushing to judgment. “We remain prayerful for his safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance,” Collins said. “Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process — not through speculation or rumor.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Virginia State Police Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov.

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The Pentagon confirmed Monday that it has launched a review into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly after receiving what it described as “serious allegations of misconduct.” The announcement follows a video released last week in which Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers urged members of the military and intelligence community to refuse unlawful directives from the Trump administration.

Defense officials said the inquiry will determine whether further steps are necessary, noting possible outcomes could include recalling Kelly — a retired Navy captain — to active duty for potential court-martial proceedings or other administrative actions. The department emphasized that the process would follow military law, adding that public comment will be limited to protect the integrity of the case.

Kelly, who spent more than 20 years in the Navy as a combat pilot and instructor before serving as a NASA astronaut, said he first learned of the investigation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s social media post. “If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work,” he wrote, adding, “I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.”

The lawmakers’ video in question featured Kelly alongside Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire — all veterans or former national security officials. In the clip, they told service members that “you can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.” The message drew intense criticism from Republicans, including Hegseth, who labeled the video “despicable, reckless, and false,” arguing it undermined military discipline. The Pentagon also referenced federal statutes barring efforts to disrupt the loyalty or morale of U.S. forces.

President Trump escalated the dispute in a post on Truth Social, calling the group “traitors” and accusing them of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” before later saying he was “not threatening death” but believed the lawmakers were “in serious trouble.” Several participants in the video have since reported receiving threats, with Kelly warning that Trump’s rhetoric “could have serious, serious consequences.”

Hegseth noted that only Kelly remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Supporters, including fellow Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego, defended him, saying Kelly has served the country honorably and was reiterating long-standing legal obligations. Kelly has maintained that the video simply reinforced the oath shared by service members, stating, “All we said is we reiterated what basically is the rule of law that members of the military should not, cannot follow illegal orders.”

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A federal judge has dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the indictments were secured by a prosecutor who lacked lawful authority to bring them.

U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie found that Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan — installed after the Trump administration forced out her predecessor — was unconstitutionally appointed and therefore unable to present cases to a grand jury. Currie wrote in her 29-page ruling that “because Ms. Halligan had no lawful authority to present the indictment, I will grant Mr. Comey’s motion and dismiss the indictment without prejudice,” adding that “all actions flowing from Ms. Halligan’s defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr. Comey’s indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power.” A similar order tossed the case against Letitia James, with the dismissals issued without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of refiling (although the statute of limitations in Comey’s case may have already expired.) The Department of Justice also can appeal to a higher court.

Halligan, a former insurance lawyer with no prior prosecutorial experience, was a member of Mr. Trump’s defense team in one of the criminal cases brought against him by former special counsel Jack Smith. Attorney General Pam Bondi tapped Halligan as interim U.S. attorney shortly after her predecessor, Erik Siebert, abruptly left the post and appointed Halligan under Section 546, the federal law that governs U.S. attorney vacancies and allows the attorney general to select an interim U.S. attorney, who can then serve for 120 days. The Trump administration has invoked that law and another measure to install temporary prosecutors in New Jersey, Nevada and Los Angeles, though three different federal judges have all found they were serving unlawfully.

Halligan pursued the indictments after career Justice Department lawyers reportedly objected, bringing charges accusing Comey of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding tied to his 2020 Senate testimony, while James had been indicted on bank and mortgage fraud allegations involving a Virginia property. Both pleaded not guilty. The judge rejected attempts by Attorney General Pam Bondi to retroactively validate Halligan’s actions, writing, “That cannot be the law.”

In a video statement, Comey said “the message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies. I’m grateful that the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence, and a reflection of what the Department of Justice has become under Donald Trump, which is heartbreaking.”

James celebrated the ruling, saying, “I am heartened by today’s victory and grateful for the prayers and support I have received from around the country. I remain fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day.”

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the Justice Department will appeal the decision.

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