Here's the Scoop — NBC News

Episode Title: Sniper Attacks ICE Facility in Dallas; From Suspension to Spotlight: Jimmy Kimmel Returns
Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Yasmin Vossoughian
Featured Correspondents: Julia Ainslie, Richard Engel, Rebecca Keegan

Episode Overview

In this episode, NBC News' Yasmin Vossoughian and a team of correspondents break down the day's top stories: a deadly sniper attack at an ICE facility in Dallas, shifting U.S. policy on Ukraine, and Jimmy Kimmel's emotional return to late night after a network suspension. The episode weaves together hard news reporting, on-the-ground context, and behind-the-scenes insight into national headlines.

Segment 1: Sniper Attack at Dallas ICE Facility

(00:46 – 06:09)

Key Discussion Points

• Incident Details:
  Early morning shooting at a Dallas ICE facility by a sniper positioned on a rooftop, resulting in one death and two critical injuries among detainees. The shooter died of a self-inflicted wound.

  • No law enforcement officers were hurt.
  • The attack is part of a recent pattern of violence against federal immigration facilities.

• Shooter Identification & Motive:
  The shooter, Joshua John (29), was identified through NBC’s exclusive early reporting.

  • Julia Ainslie reports speaking with John’s brother, Noah, who described Joshua as “unique” but not politically extreme.
  • No clear motive has been established.
  • Shell casing with “anti ICE” message found at the scene ("that bullet said anti ICE" – 04:00).

• Broader Pattern and Political Reaction:
  Agency officials cite rising threats against ICE in recent months, paralleling increased deportation operations.

  • ICE Dallas Director Joshua Johnson:

    “This is the second time I've had to stand in front of you and talk about a shooter at one of my facilities. And I think that the takeaway from all of this is that the rhetoric has to stop.” (01:48)

  • Senator Ted Cruz:

    “This needs to stop. Violence is wrong. Politically motivated violence is wrong.” (02:06)

• Context & Uncertainties:

  • Previous similar incidents have targeted ICE staff; often, motives and intended targets remain unclear.
  • The episode underscores the volatile political climate and risks faced by ICE personnel.

Notable Quotes

• Julia Ainslie:

  “He did not see his brother as someone who might carry something like this out or to have extreme views at all.” (02:35)

• Julia Ainslie, on national trends:

  “It's definitely a pattern that we are seeing in terms of an increased threat to ICE personnel.” (05:00)

Segment 2: President Trump’s Ukraine Policy Shift

(06:09 – 13:21)

Key Discussion Points

• Policy Reversal:

  • President Trump pivots from advocating a Ukraine-Russia land swap to stating Ukraine could “win all of Ukraine back in its original form” after talks with President Zelensky.
  • Zelensky’s reaction:

    “His answer a little bit and a bit.” (07:06)

• Kremlin Reaction & Geopolitical Tensions:

  • Richard Engel (NBC Foreign Affairs):
    • Trump’s shift seen as a significant change, possibly signaling to Russia amid rising European tensions.
    • Recent Russian drone and jet incursions into NATO airspace (Poland, Denmark, Estonia).

• Expert Insights:

  • Quoting Ambassador Michael McFaul:

    “Putin thinks that momentum is on his side... But the biggest thing, why he thinks time is on his side is because we, the United States, are abandoning Ukraine right now.” (10:04)

  • Engel outlines that Putin's provocations aim to dissuade NATO support for Ukraine, not necessarily to escalate conflict.

• Trust and U.S.-Ukraine Relations:

  • Engel notes Ukrainians’ skepticism about U.S. reliability:

    “They don't feel that way about this administration. And I think they've reached a point where they know they can't trust anyone with their own future.” (12:17)

• Ukrainian Position:

  • Zelensky hopes for active U.S. pressure on Russia:

    “We expect America's actions to push Russia toward peace. Moscow fears America and always pays attention to it.” (11:58)

Notable Moments and Quotes

• Richard Engel on Putin’s message to NATO:

  “You don't fly into someone's airspace and stay there for 12 minutes unless you're trying to send a message.” (09:44)

Segment 3: Jimmy Kimmel’s Return After Suspension

(15:19 – 22:44)

Key Discussion Points

• Context:

  • Kimmel returns after a week-long suspension following comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination and subsequent network pressure.
  • Disney reverses suspension; describes “thoughtful conversation” with Kimmel and team.

• Kimmel’s On-Air Response:

  • Opens with humor (bear costume, Guillermo as a banana) but shifts to sober reflection:

    “But I do want to make something clear because it's important to me as a human, and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” (16:49)

  • Emphasizes importance of free speech:

    “This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.” (17:44)

• Negotiations and Industry Fallout:

  • Rebecca Keegan: High-level talks between Kimmel, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and Disney TV chair Dana Walden led to his return.
  • Disney faced “enormous public pressure”: protests, subscription cancellations, ACLU letter.
  • Some local affiliates (Sinclair, Nexstar) continue to preempt Kimmel’s show, citing regulatory concerns.

• FCC and Shifting Media Landscape:

  • FCC Chair Brendan Carr downplays federal involvement, citing low ratings instead.
  • Discussion on cable cutting: streaming platforms not regulated by FCC, much higher viewership for Kimmel online (21 million YouTube subscribers vs. 1.7 million TV viewers).

Notable Quotes

• Rebecca Keegan on Kimmel’s monologue:

  “He made this monologue not about him, but about the issue of free speech. And he sort of made the point that this is much bigger than Jimmy Kimmel live.” (17:44)

• Kimmel (joking nod to Disney's influence):

  “Disney has asked me to read the following statement, and I agreed to do it. Here we go. To reactivate your Disney and Hulu account...” (19:47)

• Keegan on streaming impact:

  “Even in his monologue last night, there was a sort of winking acknowledgement of that when he pointed out that his wife's family in St. Louis couldn't watch on their local affiliate. And he said, I guess you'll just have to catch it on YouTube.” (22:09)

Segment 4: Headlines and Closing Stories

(22:49 - end)

• Arizona Congressional Race: Adelita Grijalva wins Arizona’s 7th, becoming the first Latina to represent the state in Congress. (22:49)
• Camp Mystic Tragedy: Reopening announcement draws criticism from parents after devastating flood.
• Typhoon Ragasa: 27 dead across Asia; millions evacuated, widespread disruptions in China.
• Minneapolis Story of Hope:
  • 12-year-old Sophia Forches, shot last month, is healing and has left ICU.

    “Sophia is winning. Your prayers are working.”

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Dallas ICE Sniper Attack: 00:46 – 06:09
• Ukraine War Policy Shift: 06:09 – 13:21
• Jimmy Kimmel Returns: 15:19 – 22:44
• Headlines/Rapid Fire News: 22:49 – end

Memorable Moments

• “The rhetoric has to stop.” (ICE Dallas Director Joshua Johnson, 01:48)
• “This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.” (Jimmy Kimmel, quoted by Rebecca Keegan, 17:44)
• “You don't fly into someone's airspace and stay there for 12 minutes unless you're trying to send a message.” (Richard Engel, 09:44)
• “Sophia is winning. Your prayers are working.” (Sophia Forches' family, 25:00)

Overall Tone and Takeaway

The episode combines the urgency of breaking news with measured, thoughtful analysis. Host Yasmin Vossoughian and correspondents maintain a tone of empathy and seriousness, especially in covering violence and political tensions. The Jimmy Kimmel segment is lighter yet sincere, emphasizing humor’s place in a turbulent media landscape and the importance of free speech.

Listeners come away with both a deeper understanding of the day’s biggest stories and the social context behind them—news delivered the way "Here’s the Scoop" promises: quick, clear, and insightful.