Content:
Two National Guard members shot blocks away from White House; Sources say Speaker Johnson told White House that GOP is not interested in extending ACA subsidies
Transcript / summary of coverage (edited):
Major Garrett: Rolling coverage of a breaking news situation in Washington, D.C. At about 2:15 p.m., two members of the National Guard deployed from West Virginia were shot in what officials describe as a targeted, ambush-style attack two blocks from the White House. Both are in critical condition at a Washington hospital. A suspect is in custody and also in serious condition after an exchange of gunfire.
Sam Vinograd: Federal and local officials held a press briefing. The suspect allegedly walked around a corner in a heavily populated part of D.C. — near multiple law enforcement agencies and metro stops — and began shooting at National Guardsmen who were on a high-visibility patrol. The shooting appears targeted against the Guardsmen. Investigators do not yet know whether the suspect acted alone or had contact with others. That inquiry will take time.
Major Garrett: For a period, the White House was briefly on lockdown; Reagan National Airport was temporarily shut for medevac operations. Metro and Secret Service units responded quickly. The Metropolitan Police Department said early on one perpetrator is in custody and there is no continuous threat to the public in the area.
Samantha Vinograd: Conflicting information circulated — the governor of West Virginia initially posted that the two guardsmen had died, then corrected the statement. At the press conference, officials said both guardsmen were in critical condition. Federal and local officials emphasized the need for accurate information in a rapidly evolving situation.
Major Garrett: The press conference included FBI Director Kash Patel, who pledged resources and described the incident as brazen. Police Deputy Chief Jeff Carroll said this was an early-stage investigation and there is one suspect in custody.
Nicole Sganga (on scene): The scene was chilling — about two blocks from the North Lawn. The suspect allegedly fired roughly 10 to 15 shots at guardsmen who were doing high-visibility patrols as part of the White House task force. Other federal assets — Secret Service, Park Police, ATF, U.S. Marshals, MPD, and EMS — rushed to the scene. One Guardsman was medevaced. The suspect is hospitalized and in critical condition. Senior officials say there is no known nexus to threats against the president or White House staff at this time.
Sam Vinograd: Law enforcement will examine surveillance and body-camera footage to determine whether there was any interaction before the shots were fired. They will also look for “leakage” — prior indicators — and whether anyone else knew of or assisted the suspect’s plans.
Major Garrett: Referring to the high-visibility patrols: National Guard personnel in camouflage and visibly armed were intended as a deterrent and to support the federal task force fighting crime in D.C. They are not police detectives and do not have full police authority; their role is to deter, observe, and alert. Officials said training kicked in and response by Guardsmen and other officers prevented a worse outcome.
Weijia Jiang: The National Guard had been federally activated in D.C. this year; deployments have been controversial locally. President Trump and federal officials argue they help reduce crime. The administration signed an order to extend the Guard presence through the end of February. Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Trump asked for 500 additional National Guardsmen to be added to Washington, D.C., in response to the shooting.
Former FBI agent Jeff Harp: The area is saturated with law enforcement — FBI, Secret Service, DHS — making the targeted nature of the attack notable. Lone actors may be radicalized and act without clear warning; investigators will probe the suspect’s communications, social media, and electronic evidence to determine motive and potential contacts. There will be reassessments of tactics and procedures for the Guard and law enforcement.
Katherine Schweit (former FBI special agent): The FBI will lead aspects of the investigation and work closely with MPD and federal partners. Because federal personnel were targeted, there will be federal charges if the suspect is charged. Investigators will piece together biometric and identification information and review surveillance footage.
Anna Schecter: Investigators are analyzing surveillance video to determine what transpired immediately before the shooting and whether there was any interaction. The attack has been described as an ambush — a targeted and intentional attack where victims were not in an engagement posture when fired upon.
Major Garrett: National security and intelligence officials will be working to assess whether the suspect acted alone or if there are broader threats, including the potential for copycat attacks, especially during high-profile periods like Thanksgiving parades and events. Officials also cautioned about misinformation spreading in the immediate aftermath.
Other topics covered during the broadcast:
Ukraine peace negotiations: Reports indicated the Kremlin said it is “premature” to claim a peace deal is close. The White House has described progress, but Moscow and Kyiv were more measured; sticking points include territory, security guarantees, and NATO-related issues. The White House deployed envoys to discuss the matter further.
Obamacare subsidies: The program of expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies (enhanced premium tax credits) set to expire has been a contentious political issue. Republican leadership has signaled reluctance to extend subsidies without negotiation; discussions were ongoing about potential short-term extensions and the political dynamics in the House and White House.
Closing: The broadcast underscored ongoing breaking news coverage. Two National Guard members from West Virginia were shot near the White House and are in critical condition; a suspect is in custody and hospitalized. The situation is under active investigation by local and federal authorities. Viewers were urged to follow continuous coverage for updates.
