UNBIASED Politics Podcast Summary

Host: Jordan Berman
Episode: December 1, 2025 – “What We Know About the National Guard Shooting in D.C., Pause on All Asylum Decisions, EPA's Approval of PFAS Chemicals for Pesticides, FDA's Possible Overhaul of Vaccine Approval Process, and More.”

Episode Overview

This episode covers several major US news stories with a focus on legal and governmental actions. The main topics include:

• A detailed breakdown of the recent National Guard shooting in Washington D.C.
• President Trump’s pause on all asylum decisions in the US
• Dismissal of the Georgia Trump RICO election interference case
• Internal reporting on possible changes to the FDA’s vaccine approval process
• EPA’s approval of new pesticide ingredients containing PFAS, aka “forever chemicals”

Host Jordan Berman provides context, legal analysis, and key facts without editorializing, maintaining the show’s trademark impartial tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National Guard Shooting in Washington D.C.

[04:45–23:20]

• On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot near the White House.
• Victims:
  • Sarah Beckstrom (20): Deceased. Joined Guard after high school with aspirations for the FBI. Previously worked with at-risk youth. Volunteered to serve during Thanksgiving in D.C.
  • Andrew Wolf (24): Critically injured. US Air Force Staff Sergeant and lineman with Frontier Communications.
• Suspect: Ramanula Lockenwald, 29, Afghan national and former CIA-backed paramilitary operative, evacuated to the US in 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW).
  • Worked in a CIA-backed Afghan Army “Zero Unit” for 10 years.
  • Entered US as part of expedited evacuation, vetted for military duties but not for US resettlement (see quote below).
  • Granted asylum in April 2025 after additional vetting; lived with wife and 5 children in Washington state.
• Mental Health & Assimilation:
  • A community worker flagged his flagging mental state, inability to hold jobs, and periods of depressive isolation and erratic behavior, raising concerns as early as Jan 2024—which possibly went unheeded by authorities.
• Legal Consequences: Lockenwald faces multiple federal charges and the death penalty for first-degree murder.

Notable Quotes

• "[Beckstrom] told her boyfriend how people would spit at her, throw things, cuss her out, wish death upon the troops, but ... the troops couldn't do anything about it because they 'had no leeway.'" — Jordan Berman [08:17]
• “...the terrorist who conducted the attack in D.C. was ‘vetted by the intelligence community. However, he was only vetted to serve as a soldier ... not for his suitability to come to America and live among us as a neighbor.’” — Director of National Counterterrorism Center, as quoted by Berman [14:24]
• “...Ramanula has not been functional as a person, father, and provider since March of last year... His behavior has changed greatly.” — Berman quoting community member’s email [21:43]

2. Trump’s National Pause on Asylum Decisions

[27:42–41:58]

• Following the D.C. shooting, President Trump ordered US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to pause all decision-making on asylum applications (but continue interviews/investigation).
• Applies to all nationalities.
• Legal Analysis:
  • Trump v. Hawaii (SCOTUS 2018): Upheld broad presidential power to restrict entry to US on national security grounds.
  • East Bay Sanctuary v. Trump (9th Cir 2018): President cannot override Congress’s asylum laws for those already inside the US.
  • Berman concludes legality depends on whether the pause is brief/narrow (more constitutionally secure) or sweeping/indefinite (legally shakier).
• New Vetting Measures:
  • USCIS now applying “negative country specific factors” to applicants from 19 “high-risk” countries.
  • Legal to target individuals for additional review based on evidence, but mass nationality-based reviews could face constitutional challenges.

Notable Quotes

• “If this policy were to be challenged, a court would, would almost certainly ask, is this policy based on individualized evidence or is it nationality profiling?” — Jordan Berman [41:30]

3. Dismissal of Georgia Trump RICO Election Interference Case

[41:59–54:48]

• Background: After 2020 loss, Trump and associates investigated for attempts to overturn Georgia’s election. Notably, Trump told GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger:
  • “All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes...” — Trump, recorded 01/02/21 [44:16]
• Prosecutors charged Trump, codefendants under GA’s broad RICO statute.
• Case Dismissal:
  • GA prosecutor’s summary: No realistic way to try a sitting president; resource constraints; legal/jurisdictional weaknesses; fragmented process would take years, serve “no productive outcome.”
• Dismissal allows for possible reimbursement of legal costs under new GA law; vacates all guilty pleas.

Notable Quotes

• “In my professional judgment, the citizens of Georgia are not served by pursuing this case in full for another 5 to 10 years.” — Memo from District Attorney Pro Tempore, quoted by Berman [53:14]

4. FDA’s Proposed Overhaul of Vaccine Approval

[54:49–1:09:10]

• Internal FDA memo reveals intent to tighten vaccine approval standards, especially for pediatric and pregnancy populations.
• Memo claims at least 10 child deaths “likely, probably or possibly” attributed to COVID vaccine, but provides no data.
• Proposed changes (per the memo, not yet policy): Require clinical endpoint trials before approval for new vaccines, especially for use in pregnancy and children; reappraise influenza vaccine approval process; end reliance on “immunogenicity” alone; update vaccine labels if new risk data emerges.
• Berman emphasizes: These are not implemented policies; many changes would require lengthy regulatory or legal processes.

Notable Quotes

• “For the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children.” — Internal FDA memo, as read by Berman [55:57]
• “[T]he FDA standard has been to require randomized studies too small to draw any conclusions from, creating a false sense of efficacy and safety.” — Internal memo, as read by Berman [58:37]

5. EPA Approval of PFAS-Based Pesticide Ingredients

[1:10:20–1:19:35]

• EPA has approved two new pesticides (cyclobutrafluram and isocyclocerum) for crops/lawns/golf courses.
• Both ingredients meet the broad international definition of PFAS—persistent “forever chemicals” that can linger in bodies/environment and are linked to myriad health risks (cancer, hormonal, immune disruptions, etc.).
• Discrepancy in definitions: US EPA uses a stricter standard than EU/OECD for "reportable" PFAS, but both newly approved chemicals are PFAS under the relevant pesticide definition.
• Important nuance: The whole pesticide product is not PFAS, but one active ingredient may be.

Notable Quotes

• “PFAS have been linked by the EPA itself … to several health risks, including decreased fertility, hypertension in pregnant women, certain cancers, developmental delays in children, hormonal irregularities, elevated cholesterol, [and] reduced effectiveness of the immune system ...” — Jordan Berman [1:13:12]

6. Critical Thinking Segment: The Asylum Pause

[1:19:36–end]

• Berman prompts listeners with questions on the ethics, efficacy, and trade-offs regarding the pause on asylum applications:
  • Does pausing asylum make the country safer, or does it risk delaying needed vetting?
  • Is it reasonable to pause asylum if some applicants are security threats?
  • What does a balanced approach to security and humanitarian values look like?

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | National Guard Shooting in D.C. | 04:45–23:20 | | Trump’s Pause on All Asylum Decisions & Legal Context | 27:42–41:58 | | Georgia RICO Election Case Dismissal | 41:59–54:48 | | FDA’s Possible Overhaul of Vaccine Approval Process | 54:49–1:09:10 | | EPA Approval of PFAS Chemicals for Pesticides | 1:10:20–1:19:35| | Critical Thinking Segment | 1:19:36–end |

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “She had the option to return to West Virginia sooner, but she opted to stay in D.C.” — Berman, on Beckstrom [07:39]
• “He was not vetted for his suitability to come to America and live among us as a neighbor.” — National Counterterrorism Center, via Berman [14:28]
• “The legality of this asylum pause depends on how big and how long it ends up being... The longer and wider the pause is, the shakier it gets.” — Berman [40:47]
• “[Georgia’s] RICO law is much more expansive than the federal law... something as informal as a group text can qualify.” — Berman [47:39]
• “PFAS are present in the blood serum of 98% of Americans tested.” — Berman [1:12:09]

Overall Tone & Style

Jordan Berman maintains a calm, clear, legally precise style throughout. He thoroughly explains policies, legal precedents, and government actions with accessible language and no editorial spin, illustrating UNBIASED Politics’ commitment to fact-based, impartial reporting.

For Listeners

If you missed this episode, this summary provides a comprehensive, structured overview of all critical developments, with essential legal and scientific context and the key facts you need to be well-informed.