Up First from NPR

Episode: Targeted Attack On National Guard, Trump Case Dismissed, Russia Awaits Peace Terms

Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Amy Martinez
Correspondents: Kat Lonsdorf, Sam Greenglass, Charles Mains

Overview

This episode of Up First unpacks three of the day’s major news stories:

1. The targeted shooting of two National Guard members near the White House.
2. The formal dismissal of the last remaining criminal case against President Trump relating to the 2020 election.
3. The state of ongoing US-led peace negotiations with Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict, amid controversy over the US envoy's conduct.

The episode features reporting and expert commentary in NPR’s signature concise and factual style, focusing sharply on developments with significant political, legal, and international implications.

1. Targeted Shooting of National Guard Members Near the White House

Segment starts: [02:40]

The Incident

• What happened: Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday afternoon. Both are in critical condition.
• Nature of the attack: The Mayor of Washington, D.C. described it as a “targeted” attack.
• Suspect: The shooter, Rahmanala Lakhinwal, was subdued and is in custody after being shot.
• Initial confusion: West Virginia’s governor initially reported the Guard members as killed, but walked this back, confirming both are in critical condition.

Key Quote:

“The shooting occurred about 2:15 pm yesterday. At a press conference, the D.C. metropolitan Police said that the gunman came around a corner and opened fire at the Guard members while they were on patrol nearby.”
— Kat Lonsdorf, [03:10]

Political Fallout and Rhetoric

• Presidential Response: President Trump, in a video statement, labeled the attack as an “act of terror” and claimed the shooter came to the US from Afghanistan under a Biden-era program.
• Homeland Security Confirmation: The DHS identified the suspect as an Afghan national who entered through Operation Allies Welcome, a program enabling Afghans to resettle in the US post-2021.

Key Quote:

“We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden.”
— President Trump, [04:31]

• Policy Response: The Trump administration subsequently halted processing Afghan immigration applications—a move likely to impact Afghans previously allied with the US or NATO.
• Trump’s Action: After the attack, Trump ordered an additional 500 troops to D.C., doubling down on the current National Guard presence despite legal controversy.

Context: National Guard Deployment

• Troop numbers: Over 2,000 Guard troops have been present in D.C. since August due to orders from Trump, citing crime concerns.
• Controversy: The deployment has faced legal challenges, with a federal judge just last week ruling it unlawful (implementation pending further appeal).
• Local impact: The presence is highly visible, with troops patrolling and assisting city services, but remains a contentious issue.

Key Quote:

“In D.C. a federal judge just last week ruled that the use of troops in the city was unlawful and ordered an end to the deployment… Meanwhile, after yesterday's attack, Trump doubled down, saying he was ordering an additional 500 troops to the city.”
— Kat Lonsdorf, [05:05]

2. Trump Georgia Election Case Dismissed

Segment starts: [06:22]

The Decision

• What happened: The last remaining criminal case against President Trump, relating to 2020 election interference in Georgia, has been dismissed.
• By whom: The new special prosecutor, Pete Scandalakis, dropped all charges—including racketeering—having taken over after Fulton County DA Fani Willis was removed for conflict of interest.
• Rationale: Scandalakis found weaknesses in the evidence and suggested the federal justice system was a more appropriate forum (a case there was already dropped after Trump’s return to office).

Key Quote:

“He concluded that the federal justice system would have been a better place for this prosecution… Scandalakis also noted it would have been illogical and unduly burdensome to sever Trump from the case and continue against the other defendants.”
— Sam Greenglass, [07:14]

Background and Legacy

• The original allegation: Investigation stemmed from Trump’s “find 11,780 votes” phone call to Georgia’s Secretary of State; the subsequent grand jury process led to Trump’s indictment in 2023.
• Notable visual: Trump’s mugshot at Fulton County Jail became “one of the enduring images of this time.” Four defendants took plea deals, convictions for them remain.
• Reaction: Trump posted on social media that “law and justice have prevailed”; no immediate reply from Fulton DA’s office.
• Expert insight: Legal scholars argue the dismissal wasted an opportunity for public truth-telling and accountability.

Key Quote:

“This was really an opportunity for justice and reconciliation and for a kind of truth telling. And that has been squandered.”
— Anthony Michael Kreiss, law professor (via Sam Greenglass), [08:55]

• Pardons: Trump has pardoned associates allegedly involved in attempts to overturn the result; charges in Georgia held extra weight because state convictions are immune to federal pardons.
• Long-term impact: The case’s end likely means Trump will never face trial for post-2020 election activities, which could embolden future challenges to election outcomes.

3. US-Russia Peace Talks Over Ukraine

Segment starts: [09:59]

The Negotiating Table

• Upcoming meeting: US Envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Moscow next week to present a revised US peace proposal to Vladimir Putin.
• The situation: The US plan was initially seen as favorable to Moscow—reportedly even offering Ukrainian territory to Russia, but has since been revised with input from Europe and Ukraine to remove these concessions.

Key Quote:

“Witkoff will come to Moscow sometime next week ... Really seeking Putin's approval or at least reaction to this draft US proposal that initially offered terms favorable to Moscow but has since been fine tuned.”
— Charles Mains, [10:27]

Controversy over Envoy's Actions

• Leaked transcripts: Witkoff appears to have worked closely with Kremlin officials, including advising them on timing and strategy for talks with Trump—suggesting efforts to undermine Ukrainian President Zelensky.
• Media reaction: A Bloomberg report heightened scrutiny of Witkoff’s objectivity as a mediator.

Key Quotes:

“That Bloomberg report really appeared to show what many already suspected, that Russia had a significant role in shaping this initial Trump peace plan and that Witkoff was working closely, critics would say too closely, with his Kremlin counterparts.”
— Charles Mains, [11:18]

“That's what a dealmaker does. You got to say, look, they want this. You've got to convince him with this. You know, that's a very standard form of negotiation.”
— President Trump, [11:54]

Aftermath and Fallout

• Russian response: Kremlin contacts acknowledge regular discussions with Witkoff, hinting that conversations may have been intercepted.
• Who leaked?: Speculation abounds about the leaker’s motive—with possibilities including Europeans, Ukrainians, Americans, or even Russian hardliners.
• Political impact: Some Republicans are calling for Witkoff’s resignation. But the focus appears to be shifting given that the original pro-Russian proposal is now off the table.

Key Quote:

“In a way, you know, it may not matter, just in the sense that this document that Witkoff is accused of helping promote, really, that was tilted in Russia's favor. It's already undergoing significant revisions. It's no longer the one that everyone's focused on.”
— Charles Mains, [13:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump’s call for aggressive review of Afghan immigrants: “We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden.” [04:31]
• Expert reaction to case dismissal: “This was really an opportunity for justice and reconciliation and for a kind of truth telling. And that has been squandered.” — Anthony Michael Kreiss [08:55]
• On US negotiation tactics: “That's what a dealmaker does. You got to say, look, they want this. You've got to convince him with this. You know, that's a very standard form of negotiation.” — President Trump [11:54]
• Describing the effect of leaks on the peace process: “The list of those against US Russian cooperation is long...there are people who will stop at nothing to undermine it.” — Dmitry Peskov via Charles Mains [12:23]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:40] — Shooting near White House, Guard members critical, suspect details
• [03:48] — Trump’s statement and anti-immigrant rhetoric
• [05:05] — Context of National Guard deployments and legal controversy
• [06:22] — Dismissal of Georgia election interference case
• [07:49] — Historical background: Trump’s “find the votes” call
• [08:55] — Expert criticism on missed opportunity for justice
• [09:59] — Russia-Ukraine peace talks and Witkoff’s upcoming trip
• [11:18] — Witkoff’s leaked interactions, critique of US negotiating stance
• [13:05] — Political fallout, revision of peace plan

Conclusion

This Up First episode presents an essential news rundown with sharp insight and critical analysis into three major news stories shaping the US political and international landscape: an attack on National Guard troops in D.C. and its immigration and security implications; the closure of Trump’s final criminal case with ramifications for democratic norms; and America’s controversial approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war, with diplomatic intrigue at the highest levels.