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Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Monday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, Bryan covers the nation's grief and anger after the Washington terror attack, the deepening crisis within America's immigration system, and President Trump's most sweeping border actions yet. He also examines the political backlash, the debate over assimilation, and the global pressures shaping events from Europe to Venezuela.
America Mourns and Demands Answers:
Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition while Specialist Sarah Beckstrom is laid to rest after last week's terror attack in Washington. DHS confirmed the attacker, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was a former CIA-backed Afghan Zero Unit fighter who was radicalized after arrival in the United States. Investigators say he drifted between Washington State, Arizona, and the East Coast with little oversight, revealing systemic vetting failures across multiple administrations.
Vetting Breakdown Exposed:
Inspector General reports show that over two hundred thousand Afghans brought into the country during the 2021 evacuation were admitted with almost no reliable databases, poor ID verification, and limited interagency cooperation. None received continual vetting after entry. Bryan explains why "strict vetting" is a political myth and why U.S. systems remain unable to verify criminal history, ideology, or cultural fit for many migrants.
Trump Orders the Most Sweeping Immigration Freeze in Decades:
The President has paused all asylum applications, halted Afghan visa processing, and instructed his team to permanently pause migration from Third World nations to reset the system. Green card and citizenship requests from nineteen countries are suspended. Trump is also considering the denaturalization of foreign-born citizens who fail loyalty or cultural compatibility standards. Legal scholars note that Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act grants the President broad authority to take such steps.
Political Firestorm and Cultural Divide:
Republicans and most Independents support a historic crackdown, while Democrats accuse Trump of racism and xenophobia. Some leaders, including Representative Jasmin Crockett and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, blamed the National Guard deployments for the attack. Bryan argues that many progressive lawmakers reject assimilation because they reject the idea of American culture itself, pointing to recent examples in education, media, and politics.
College Degrees Lose Appeal:
New polling shows only 33 percent of Americans believe a four-year degree is worth the cost. Interest in vocational training and maritime careers is rising as tuition increases outpace wages. Maritime academies report that graduates earn more than $200,000 a year after six months of work.
The Autopen Controversy:
President Trump announced he is canceling all executive actions signed by Joe Biden through the autopen, citing concerns that Biden did not authorize their use. The Justice Department may soon bring cases that will force the Supreme Court to clarify the legality of autopen approvals.
Debate Over Unlawful Orders Heats Up:
Reports claim Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered a second strike on a cartel boat. Hegseth denies it. Senator Mark Kelly suggested troops should rely on intuition when evaluating orders, which critics warn could lead to chaos and politicized discipline. The issue may shape U.S. operations in the Caribbean.
Global Flashpoints: Venezuela and Europe:
Trump rejected demands from Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro for guaranteed amnesty and military control as part of an exit deal. Maduro may attempt a guerrilla resistance if forced out. In Europe, Islamist protests are disrupting Christmas markets in Belgium and Germany, where security costs have surged. France's populist movement is surging in polls as crime tied to migrants fuels public frustration. Portugal's populist party Chega is also now tied for first place in national polling.
Medical News:
A major UK study finds that weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Zepbound must be taken long-term to maintain results, with many patients regaining most of the weight after stopping treatment.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32
Keywords: Washington DC terror attack Afghan Zero Unit, Rahmanullah Lakanwal vetting failure, Trump asylum freeze Section 212f, de-naturalization
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