Mark Levin Podcast – November 27, 2025

Episode: "National Guardsmen Shot: A Tragic Day in D.C."
Host: Ben Ferguson (filling in for Mark Levin)
Producer: Cumulus Podcast Network

Overview

This emotionally charged episode covers breaking news of a shooting in Washington, D.C. in which two West Virginia National Guardsmen were ambushed near the White House. Ben Ferguson, sitting in for Mark Levin, provides a detailed timeline, offers political context, analyzes reactions from officials, and draws connections between left-wing rhetoric, national security policies, and the rise of socialism among younger voters. The tone is urgent, opinionated, and meant to both inform and rally conservative listeners.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. The Shooting of National Guardsmen in D.C.

• Timeline of Events

  • 2:15 PM (ET): Gunfire erupted near 17th and I Street NW, close to Farragut West Metro station, a block from the White House (00:50).
  • Two West Virginia National Guardsmen on patrol were ambushed and shot.
  • The shooter was subdued and wounded by return fire; authorities quickly secured the scene (02:45).
  • There was an initial report of fatalities, later clarified as both Guardsmen being in critical condition.

• Confirmed Suspect Details

  • The shooter was identified as a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal under Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome program (01:56:40).
  • The suspect entered legally, then overstayed his visa and was reportedly in the country illegally at the time of the shooting.
  • He was described as lying in wait before ambushing the Guardsmen, shooting a female Guard in the chest and then in the head, seizing her firearm, and shooting a second Guard (02:04:10).
  • Witnesses and law enforcement sources say he shouted “Allahu Akbar!” during the attack, raising terrorism concerns (02:27:45).
  • The FBI began investigating the incident as a potential terrorist attack; motive under continued investigation (01:57:45).

2. Reactions from Law Enforcement and Government Officials

• FBI Director Cash Patel (Quote, 00:15:00):

  • “Make no mistake, they [the perpetrators] will be brought to justice. Since this is an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, this will be treated...at the federal level.”
  • Called for prayers and national unity for the wounded Guardsmen and their families.
  • Emphasized coordination between federal, state, and local authorities.

• President Trump (Truth Social Statement, 00:23:30):

  • “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen with both being critically wounded and now in two separate hospitals is also severely wounded but regardless will pay a very steep price. God bless our great National Guard and all of our military and law enforcement.”
  • Announced the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. (01:44:52).

• D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (00:27:10):

  • Expressed “thoughts and prayers” for the victims and families.
  • Committed to “ensuring that MPD investigates and the U.S. Attorney prosecutes this case to the fullest extent of the law.”

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (00:33:50):

  • Called the attack a “cowardly and dastardly act targeting the best of America.”
  • “We will never back down. We will secure our capital. We will secure our cities.”
  • Announced the request for 500 additional National Guard troops in D.C.

• Former President Joe Biden (01:59:51):

  • Publicly condemned the shooting: “Violence of any kind is unacceptable and we must all stand united against it… Jill and I are heartbroken.”

3. Media and Political Context

• Climate that May Have Motivated the Attack:

  • Ben Ferguson points to recent rhetoric from left-wing Democrats and media commentators, including a viral video in which multiple Democrat lawmakers urged military members to "refuse illegal orders" under President Trump.
  • Billboards in major cities were reportedly urging Guardsmen and troops to resist orders and painting federal law enforcement as threats to Americans (02:42:40).

• Media Reaction:

  • Ferguson criticizes MSNBC and other networks for what he describes as a tendency to “defend” the gunman or downplay the connection between mass illegal immigration, terrorism, and current events.
  • “People walking around in uniforms in an American city—some Americans might object, and so apparently this shooting has happened.” – Quoted from MSNBC, then heavily condemned by Ferguson (01:47:15).

4. Broader Themes: Immigration, Security, and Political Rhetoric

• Immigration Angle:

  • Emphasis that the shooter was an Afghan national who entered the U.S. under Biden’s policy, overstayed his visa, and became a security threat.
  • Conservative calls to “shut it all down”—halt unvetted immigration from high-risk countries.

• Rhetoric and “Dehumanizing” Law Enforcement:

  • Ferguson discusses how continual left-wing rhetoric “dehumanizes” ICE agents, police, and military – leading to a climate where violence against them is more likely.
  • Notes a separate foiled plot in Virginia where a high school assistant principal was arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate ICE agents (02:50:10).

5. Polling: Rise of Socialism Among Young Voters

• New Rasmussen Poll (00:40:30):

  • 51% of likely voters under 40 favor a “Democratic Socialist” winning the presidency in 2028; 82% of under-40 Democrats agree.
  • Only 65% of Republicans under 40 reject the idea—with 24% actually supporting it.
  • 27% of respondents attribute their socialist leanings to parental influence, 17% to “online videos or podcasts.”
  • Digital/print media, TV, church leaders, or teachers have much less influence.

• Ferguson’s Analysis:

  • Argues the left has played a “long game” of indoctrinating young voters via education and online platforms.
  • Expresses alarm at the diminishing stigma around socialism/communism in the Democratic Party.
  • Cautions conservatives not to ignore or dismiss the political influence of younger generations (01:07:39).

6. Other News: Trump Georgia Case Dismissal (00:55:40)

• Brief coverage of a Georgia judge dismissing the 2020 election interference case against Trump due to disqualification of district attorney Fani Willis for improprieties.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• FBI Director Cash Patel (00:16:43):
  “This is a matter of national security; this is a matter of pride. President Trump has been informed...We will shortchange the American public with no resources to make sure we find and safeguard our nation’s capital right here in Washington D.C.”

• Ben Ferguson’s Analysis (01:35:30):
  “If you don't think that video is connected to the shooting in D.C., you're an idiot. If you don't think these billboards telling service members to refuse orders aren’t tied to it, you're an idiot.”

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (00:34:48):
  “That will only stiffen our resolve. We will never back down. We will secure our capital. We will secure our cities. In fact, this happened just steps away from the White House. It will not stand.”

• On Socialist Polling (00:47:29):
  “The Democratic Party is masquerading as the Democratic Party when really it’s filled with socialists, Communists, and Marxists…the polling now clearly shows that.”

• On Afghan National Shooter (02:05:12):
  “He entered and this was someone that should have never been in America because Joe Biden decided—oh yeah, we’ll let a bunch of these guys in.”

• On Media Downplaying Rhetoric (01:47:15):
  “So they're defending the gunman who killed–you went after these two Guardsmen saying...‘There are some Americans that might object to that. And so apparently this shooting has happened.’ Oh, so you’re just saying it's OK to shoot people now?”

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------| | 00:50 | Timeline of D.C. shooting and initial reactions | | 00:16:43 | FBI Director Cash Patel press statement | | 00:23:30 | Trump’s Truth Social statement | | 00:27:10 | Mayor Bowser’s press remarks | | 00:33:50 | Sec. of War Pete Hegseth statement | | 00:40:30 | Discussion of the new poll on young voters & socialism | | 00:55:40 | News of Trump GA case dismissal | | 01:35:30 | Linking left-wing rhetoric to attacks on Guardsmen | | 01:44:52 | Announcement of added National Guard troops | | 01:47:15 | Media (MSNBC) reaction and Ferguson’s critique | | 01:57:45 | Shooter details: Afghan national, terrorism investigation | | 02:04:10 | Details of the attack—sequence, weapons, suspect | | 02:27:45 | Jihadist rhetoric & terrorism context | | 02:42:40 | Billboards urging National Guard defiance | | 02:50:10 | Arrest of assistant principal plotting against ICE| | 03:08:00 | Listener calls on National Guard, law, and political violence|

Language & Tone

• Emotional, urgent, and unapologetically conservative.
• Frequent warnings: “Wake up, pay attention…”; “This is Joe Biden’s fault.”
• Blunt attributions: “…If you don’t see the link, you’re an idiot.”
• The host shifts between hard news updates and strongly opinionated commentary.

Summary: Key Takeaways for the Uninitiated Listener

• Two West Virginia National Guardsmen were ambushed and critically wounded outside the White House by a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. during Biden’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• The FBI is treating the incident as a potential terrorist attack due to the suspect's foreign origin, Islamic battle cries, and method.
• Strong reactions from government and law enforcement emphasized a “never back down” stance with Trump ordering further troop deployments.
• Ferguson and conservative commentators blame left-wing rhetoric (including Democratic lawmakers, media, and activist billboards) for eroding respect for the military and law enforcement, potentially inspiring attacks against them.
• National polling shows a concerning trend: a bare majority of likely voters under 40 prefer a socialist candidate in 2028, with left-wing influence permeating educational and social media platforms.
• The episode closes with calls for accountability from the Biden administration concerning lax vetting of immigrants and a warning that “dehumanizing” law enforcement has real-world and lethal consequences.

For listeners wanting to understand the significance and implications of the tragic D.C. attack, this episode delivers a comprehensive, unfiltered, and emotionally charged conservative perspective that ties together politics, security, and the changing American cultural landscape.