Up First from NPR Trump Suspends Immigration After Guard Attack, Holiday Economy, Retail Spending
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Nov 28, 2025 
Brian Mann, NPR national reporter, shares gripping details about the tragic DC National Guard shooting and its impact on immigration policies. Scott Horsley, NPR White House correspondent, explores the drop in consumer confidence and its implications for the job market and presidential politics. Alina Seljuk, NPR retail correspondent, reveals how holiday shopping is projected to exceed $1 trillion, driven by higher-income consumers and enticing discounts despite economic unease. The conversation delves into the contrasts between spending behaviors across different income levels.
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Vetting Review Targets Multiple Countries
- The administration is re-examining thousands of refugees' and green card approvals from about 19 countries, citing vetting concerns after the Guard attack.
- Experts told Brian Mann that refugee vetting had been repeated and audited and was generally competent despite imperfections.
Alleged Shooter's Background And Asylum
- Brian Mann reports the alleged shooter, Rachmaninoff Lakanwal, drove across the U.S. and had served in Afghanistan alongside U.S. forces.
- A nonprofit said Lakanwal was part of an elite counterterrorism group with CIA ties and he was granted asylum earlier this year.
Political Narrative Versus Vetting Reality
- The Trump administration framed the case as a vetting failure linked to the Afghanistan withdrawal and pledged broad migration pauses and denaturalization efforts.
- NPR sources noted most Afghan refugees in the U.S. live peacefully and vetting processes, while imperfect, are thorough.