The Beat with Ari Melber (Host: Michel Norris in for Ari Melber)

Episode: Two National Guard Members Shot Near White House

Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This urgent episode covers the breaking news of a shooting near the White House in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members from West Virginia were critically injured. The discussion explores the details of the incident, the ongoing investigation, the political response—including increased deployments of the National Guard and legal controversy surrounding that deployment—and reactions from key officials and analysts. Later segments touch on a separate investigation into Democratic lawmakers and economic issues affecting Thanksgiving costs.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Details of the Shooting Near the White House

• Incident Summary: Around 2:15 pm, two National Guardsmen were shot at close range near the White House. Both are in critical condition. The area was swiftly secured, and a suspect, also injured, was taken into custody.

• Law Enforcement Response:

  • The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) is leading the investigation, considering possibly terrorism-related motives but with no conclusions yet.
  • D.C. officials and police described the attack as a "targeted" ambush.

• Eyewitness Accounts:

  • Bystanders described hearing multiple gunshots (“boom, boom” and “pop, pop, pop”), ensuing chaos, and witnessing responders tending to the injured (02:15-02:41).

2. Immediate & Political Response

• President and Pentagon Response:

  • President Trump, though not at the White House, was briefed and ordered the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops, in addition to roughly 2,000 already stationed.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed a strong stance on security:
    • “We will never back down. We will secure our capital. We will secure our cities.” (03:14-03:17)

• Legal and Political Controversy Over National Guard Deployment:

  • A federal judge recently ruled the current Guard deployment in D.C. illegal, but paused enforcement for appeal.
  • The administration is using the shooting as a justification for maintaining—possibly increasing—the deployment in D.C.

• Local and National Leader Statements:

  • Mayor Bowser called it a targeted attack, urging caution as there are many conflicting reports.
  • Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and other leaders condemned “political violence of all stripes” (05:45-06:30).

3. Emerging Details on the Investigation

• Nature and Motive of the Attack:

  • JTTF involvement signals heightened scrutiny and concern about targeted violence against federal officers.
  • The two National Guardsmen were reportedly clearly identifiable in uniform and were attacked without apparent provocation.

• Forensic and Investigative Efforts:

  • Investigators gathering extensive camera footage, digital footprints, and interviewing relatives to reconstruct the suspect’s background and motives.
  • The FBI Evidence Response Team working overnight to secure all physical evidence (shell casings, blood samples, etc.).
    • “They’re pulling all the footage—there are cameras every few feet in that area.” – Ken Delaney (11:03)

• Morale and Safety Concerns for Guard Members:

  • Discussion about the psychological toll and renewed sense of vulnerability for Guard members now operating with heightened awareness (09:59-10:33, 20:03-23:04).
  • “There needs to be a message sent to every National Guard member deployed...to make sure you remind them of their mission, that you remind them of how important their safety is.” – Tom Manger, former U.S. Capitol Police Chief (20:03)

4. Analysis: Law Enforcement and Security Expert Perspectives

• Investigative Complexity:

  • Michael Feinberg described a “bicycle wheel” approach involving parallel, fast-paced evidence gathering and interviews (“not a staircase, but spokes radiating out”) (25:31-26:43).

• Law Enforcement Ambushes:

  • Most shootings involving law enforcement happen at very close range, not from a distance as sometimes popularly imagined (29:29).

5. Additional Segment: FBI Investigation Into Democratic Lawmakers

• Lawmakers face inquiry after making a video urging troops to defy unlawful orders; the move is denounced as political reprisal.
• Andrew Weissman (former FBI counsel) sharply criticizes the FBI and Pentagon actions as unconstitutional:
  • “The only illegal action I see here is on the part of the government now doing these investigations.” – Andrew Weissman (33:33)
  • Cited First Amendment and legal standards for the FBI to open inquiries.
  • Concern over politicization and long-term damage to the FBI’s reputation and rule of law.

6. Thanksgiving Price Hikes and Economic Concerns

• Shoppers and analysts discuss the rising costs of groceries and essentials, attributed partly to tariffs and recent economic policy.
• Jared Bernstein, economist, details significant year-over-year grocery price inflation (40:37-41:25) and highlights other areas of household budget pressure.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Scene:

  • “I was in the Uber. I heard boom, boom twice...What I heard were, you know, like pop, pop, pop.” – Bystander (02:15-02:26)
  • “As you see in the video, I see two National Guard members down, and people are working on them.” – Bystander (02:32)

• Law Enforcement Analysis:

  • “The JTTF has access to a number of databases...They've got more information than any one single agency would have.” – Tom Manger (15:05)
  • “You learn in the police academy that when you're in a crowd, you keep your head on a swivel.” – Tom Manger (20:03)

• Policy & Politics:

  • “We will never back down. We will secure our capital. We will secure our cities.” – Michael Feinberg, relaying Secretary Hegseth (03:14-03:17)
  • “Unlawful orders, that's the law. That is what you want.” – Andrew Weissman (34:05)

• Investigative Standards:

  • “The FBI cannot use First Amendment activity to investigate.” – Andrew Weissman (34:50)
  • “The overwhelming number of shootings in which law enforcement is one of the parties take place within a distance of 3 meters or less.” – Michael Feinberg (29:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Shooting Details & Initial Reports: 00:50 – 03:28
• Eyewitness Accounts: 02:15 – 02:41
• Security Response & Political Context: 03:02 – 03:28, 06:30 – 08:59
• Live Update from Shooting Scene: 04:04 – 05:45
• Law Enforcement Investigation Details: 06:47 – 12:05
• White House Correspondent on Lockdown: 12:21 – 14:40
• Capitol Police Chief (Tom Manger) on Multi-Agency Coordination & Officer Safety: 15:05 – 23:04
• FBI Analyst (Michael Feinberg) on Investigative Approach: 25:31 – 29:10
• Discussion of FBI Investigation into Lawmakers (Andrew Weissman): 33:33 – 39:30
• Economic Segment: Thanksgiving Prices: 39:54 – 42:37
• Recap & Final Update: 43:00 – 43:17

Summary Takeaways

• Critical Security Event: The shooting of two National Guard members near the White House is considered a targeted attack and is under robust federal investigation.
• Escalating Tensions: The incident heightens political and legal debates over the ongoing and possibly expanded National Guard presence in D.C.
• Concern for Rule of Law: Experts warn of the erosion of civil rights and institutional norms amid growing executive branch assertiveness.
• Underlying National Stress: The episode also highlights economic anxieties (Thanksgiving price rises) that compound the national sense of insecurity and division.

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