Nancy Cordes in Washington hosts Face the Nation covering a week of national security, immigration, foreign policy and domestic economic concerns.
Breaking news and national security
Nicole Sganga reports on the targeted attack in Washington, D.C., blocks from the White House, that killed 20-year-old Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and left Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe critically injured. Authorities arrested Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April. U.S. and Afghan officials say Lakanwal served in a CIA-backed “zero unit” in Afghanistan; investigators are combing devices and social media for signs of radicalization. Sources say there are no confirmed extremist ties yet. A 2025 DOJ audit and earlier IG findings showed that expedited evacuations in 2021 increased vetting risks; the public debate centers on whether this was a vetting failure or a case of radicalization after arrival.
Former DHS counterterrorism official Samantha Vinograd, now a CBS News contributor, explains vetting is a multi-stage process—biographic and biometric screening overseas, port-of-entry checks, and in‑country asylum vetting—designed to catch derogatory identifiers but not to predict future lone-actor violence. Vinograd stresses that re-vetting has occurred since arrival, but large-scale re-screening of tens of thousands would be resource-intensive. President Trump ordered a pause on certain asylum decisions and directed ICE to halt Afghan immigration processing; he also sent additional National Guard troops to D.C., prompting debate over force posture and troop deployments.
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) argues the Afghanistan withdrawal created the conditions that led to vetting challenges and blames the Biden administration for “allowing” vulnerable vetting outcomes. Turner also addresses Ukraine and Venezuela: he warns about any U.S. negotiation posture that appears “pro-Russia” and expresses concern about reports that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff coached a Russian contact on reaching President Trump. Turner says the White House should ensure Ukraine’s voice is heard directly. On Venezuela, Turner says Congress has not been fully briefed on planning; he and colleagues are seeking more information about legal authorities and reported military operations in the region.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) says he will refile war powers resolutions if military action against Venezuela or expanded operations occur, noting earlier attempts failed. He is particularly alarmed by reporting that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered “kill” actions against suspected drug boat crews; Kaine and others say Congress must investigate potential violations of the laws of war and pressing questions about interdict vs. strike authority, intelligence sharing, legal memos, and allied cooperation.
Ukraine, Russia, and Venezuela
The program covers Russia’s large-scale drone and missile strikes on Kyiv and the U.S. administration’s parallel pressure campaign on Venezuela, including warnings to commercial airlines to avoid Venezuelan airspace. Turner and others emphasize vigilance about Russia’s adversarial posture and nuclear modernization. Questions persist about U.S. strategy in Venezuela—whether pressure aims at political change, counter-narcotics operations, or securing energy assets—and whether congressional approval is required for potential military action.
Economic outlook and holiday spending
Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, briefs viewers on holiday shopping and the economy. He cites strong Black Friday numbers—online and in-store gains—and points to robust incomes, wage growth, and a recent jobs report as drivers of consumer spending. Hassett argues inflation is lower now than earlier periods and that real incomes have improved, while noting some goods rose in price due to tariffs and supply disruptions. He responds to polling showing skepticism about grocery prices and administration policies, reiterating the White House view that tax cuts and wage growth support purchasing power.
Hassett comments on internal White House discussion about extending Obamacare premium subsidies, describing leaked, pre-decisional options and characterizing ongoing negotiation with Congress as work in progress. He downplays reports that he is a frontrunner to replace the Fed chair, calling it premature.
Hunger and food insecurity
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, outlines a worsening hunger crisis: government data showing 47.4 million people in food-insecure households in 2023 and high demand at food banks even after the government shutdown ended. She describes new groups turning to charitable food systems—people who do not qualify for federal nutrition programs—and says local food banks face longer lines than available food. Babineaux-Fontenot calls for policy changes to address poverty and food insecurity: targeted fraud reduction, incentives to move people up the economic ladder, sliding scales to help families transition off aid, and bipartisan action to close an anticipated gap if SNAP eligibility changes are implemented.
Feeding America’s estimate of the Congressional Budget Office projection: SNAP changes could create a 6 billion meal-per-year gap. Babineaux-Fontenot urges strategic, bipartisan steps—addressing error rates and incentivizing employment transitions—to reduce hunger sustainably.
Other coverage
– The show examines the leaked transcript suggesting an envoy might have placed Putin ahead of Zelenskyy in arranging calls with President Trump, raising GOP concerns about impartiality in Ukraine negotiations.
– Rep. Turner and Sen. Kaine both note ongoing congressional inquiries into U.S. operations in the Caribbean and Pacific that have targeted suspected drug trafficking with lethal force; lawmakers are demanding evidence, legal rationale, and oversight.
– Cordes reports on a separate mass shooting in Stockton, California, where multiple victims were killed at a family celebration; investigators continue to search for a suspect.
– Feeding America and other charities are dealing with long lines and strained supplies, intensified by policy changes and higher living costs for many families.
– The program includes economic context for holiday spending and policy debates over extending health subsidies.
Closing
Nancy Cordes wraps the program noting continued investigations into the D.C. shooting and federal and congressional responses across immigration, national security, and foreign policy as the Thanksgiving weekend ends. Face the Nation will follow developments as investigations and policy debates continue.
