President Donald Trump has vowed to “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries” following the killing of a U.S. National Guard member in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan national admitted under the Biden administration’s 2021 refugee resettlement program.
The incident occurred on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, when two National Guard members were attacked near the White House. One soldier was fatally shot, while another remains in critical condition. Authorities later identified the suspect as a 29-year-old Afghan refugee, who entered the United States in September 2021 after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Reacting to the tragedy, Trump posted on his Truth Social account:
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover.”
The President’s remarks, delivered from Mar-a-Lago, immediately sparked debate. Supporters hailed the move as a decisive step to protect national security, arguing that the attack highlighted flaws in refugee vetting processes. Critics, however, condemned the language and policy proposal, warning that a blanket ban on migration from developing nations could violate international obligations and stigmatize vulnerable populations.
Policy analysts noted that Trump’s vow fits into his broader immigration agenda, which has consistently emphasized border security, refugee restrictions, and stricter vetting. They cautioned that such sweeping measures could have far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign relations, particularly with countries whose citizens would be affected.
The attack and Trump’s response come amid heightened concerns about violent crime in Washington, D.C., and renewed scrutiny of refugee resettlement programs. While investigations into the suspect’s motives continue, the President’s pledge has already reshaped the political conversation around immigration heading into 2026.
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