At a Thursday press conference in Palm Beach, Donald Trump lashed out at a reporter who challenged his claim that Afghan migrants were never vetted, tying the issue to the deadly shooting in Washington, D.C.
He repeated that the evacuees “came in unvetted” and suggested the shooting was a result of what he described as a failure in immigration policy. The attack left two National Guard members wounded, and one later died Thursday evening.
Federal officials, however, confirmed that Afghan migrants were carefully screened by both the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI before entering the United States, as outlined in government reports.
That fact became the center of the clash.
A reporter pushed back, pointing out that even Trump’s own agencies had reported that the evacuees went through full screening. “Your DOJ and inspector general reported this year that there was thorough vetting by DHS and the FBI,” the reporter said. “So why blame the Biden administration for what this man did?”
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Trump fired up right away.
“Because they let him in! Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” he snapped, raising his voice at the press row. He kept going, calling the question “stupid” and arguing that thousands of people “who shouldn’t be here” were brought in on evacuation flights. He also complained that current laws make it hard for the government to remove people once they enter the country.
“You’re a stupid person” — Trump lashes out at a reporter who presses him on the fact that the suspected DC shooter was actually thoroughly vetted before he was let in the US from Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/1mOPMGQeJO
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 28, 2025
His exchange with the reporter spread fast online.
Journalists need to start matching his energy and call him out of his name.
— Charli Huxley (@ImKnotTheOne) November 28, 2025
Trump doesn’t have American values… he doesn’t have democratic values… he doesn’t have human values… he doesn’t respect the rule of law or the constitution… he wants authoritarian rule… he’ll use force against Americans… he doesn’t care who gets hurt, or how badly…
— Dave Kelley (@DaveKelley6) November 28, 2025
He’s so disgustingly disrespectful. And, it’s clear his brain isn’t processing information properly. He’s unfit.
— The Great Gig in the Sky (@thegreatgig8) November 28, 2025
You know that people that show signs of dementia are often very combative
— Donna (@Donna52289295) November 28, 2025
What a shame… Mr Trump is getting worse. He is completely confused…
— Simon St-Onge (@lestechnomages) November 28, 2025
Nancy Mace and Kash Patel placed responsibility on the Biden administration, framing the shooting as a result of weak immigration policy.
Featured image via X screengrab