By — Steff Staples Steff Staples Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-are-you-stupid-trump-rebuffs-reporters-question-on-afghan-resettlement-vetting Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: ‘Are you stupid?’ Trump rebuffs reporter’s question on Afghan resettlement vetting Politics Nov 28, 2025 2:54 PM EST President Donald Trump called a journalist “stupid” for attempting to fact-check his claim that the Biden administration didn’t vet Afghan nationals who came to the United States, related to the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington. Watch the clip in the video player above. After Trump claimed on Thursday that Afghans fleeing the Taliban were never vetted under a Biden-era program, CBS News White House correspondent Nancy Cordes offered additional reporting and asked a follow-up question. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. “Your [Department of Justice Inspector General] just reported this year that there was thorough vetting by DHS and by the FBI of these Afghans who were brought into the U.S.,” Cordes said, asking why Trump blamed the Biden administration. “Because they let them in,” Trump said. “Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” WATCH: Investigations of National Guard shooting reveal suspect worked for CIA in Afghanistan “They came in on a plane along with thousands of other people that shouldn’t be here, and you’re just asking questions because you’re a stupid person,” Trump said. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect who has been charged for shooting two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and entered the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. One of the victims, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, died Thursday following the shooting. Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Friday. Charges against Lakanwal were upgraded to include first-degree murder on Friday. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Steff Staples Steff Staples
President Donald Trump called a journalist “stupid” for attempting to fact-check his claim that the Biden administration didn’t vet Afghan nationals who came to the United States, related to the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington. Watch the clip in the video player above. After Trump claimed on Thursday that Afghans fleeing the Taliban were never vetted under a Biden-era program, CBS News White House correspondent Nancy Cordes offered additional reporting and asked a follow-up question. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. “Your [Department of Justice Inspector General] just reported this year that there was thorough vetting by DHS and by the FBI of these Afghans who were brought into the U.S.,” Cordes said, asking why Trump blamed the Biden administration. “Because they let them in,” Trump said. “Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” WATCH: Investigations of National Guard shooting reveal suspect worked for CIA in Afghanistan “They came in on a plane along with thousands of other people that shouldn’t be here, and you’re just asking questions because you’re a stupid person,” Trump said. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect who has been charged for shooting two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and entered the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. One of the victims, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, died Thursday following the shooting. Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Friday. Charges against Lakanwal were upgraded to include first-degree murder on Friday. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now