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CNN Live Event/Special

Update of Shooting of Two National Guard Members; Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired November 27, 2025 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:30:00]

KASH PATEL, FBI DIRECTOR: Priorities to safeguard our communities.

I also spoke to director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, last night, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. There is confirmation now that the subject had a relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces. We are fully investigating that aspect of his background as well, to include any known associates that are either overseas or here in the United States of America. That is what a broad-based international terrorism investigation looks like.

We will provide continuous details to the American public, while at the same time not jeopardizing the ongoing prosecution to ultimately hold this perpetrator accountable in our courts of law. We will provide as much transparency as possible, but as you can see, the breadth and scope of this investigation will continue. We will -- we will continue to hit the streets and hit every town and every house and talk to every witness. The men and women of the FBI and the Metropolitan Police Department and the interagency to include the Department of Homeland Security, DEA and ATF are working tirelessly on this Thanksgiving Day.

And I know just by talking to the leaders behind me that instead of going on and being with their families, everyone rogered (ph) up and showed up to work today. And none of them want to go home. That's the resolve that we have together as a team to bring to you justice for this heinous act of terrorism here in our nation's capital.

And as the judge said, we will ensure that our law enforcement partners are out there in full force to make sure the world can enjoy our nation's capital. We will not let this heinous act of violence prevent people from visiting our beautiful nation's capital. And we will also continue to highlight any evidence that we can publicly. And as the judge said, this individual is in this country for one reason and one reason alone, because of the disastrous withdrawal from the Biden administration and the failure to vet any way, in any way, shape or form this individual and countless others. And this administration has taken the rightful step to stop any further allowance of people with this similar background into the country. And we're thankful for that. And as I said, this investigation remains ongoing.

And I think I'll turn it over to General Blanchard of the National Guard now.

Thank you.

BRIG. GEN. LELAND BLANCHARD, COMMANDING GENERAL, D.C. NATIONAL GUARD: Thank you, Director.

All across America this morning, families are waking up. They'll spend the day with their children, their brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, friends from across the community. There will be the smell of turkey, all the fixings. They'll watch parades, football games. They'll pray together. They'll talk about what they're grateful for.

This morning, there are two families that will not have that opportunity. Andy and Sarah's families, they're spending the day reflecting on the past, and in the days coming, they'll reflect on and think about what could have been, what might be. Because regardless of the outcome, we know that their lives, their family -- their family's lives are all changed forever because one person decided to do this horrific and evil thing.

And all across America we are also reminded that there are many law enforcement agents, first responders, soldiers, service members all around the world who at best will come home, eat some cold turkey, open up Tupperware, eat what's left over, because they spent the day defending the American ideals. Getting out there and getting after it. On every American citizen's behalf.

I will say that the District of Columbia National Guard, this task force, is more committed this morning to the president's directive to make D.C. safe and beautiful. Our resolve will be tested, it is being tested, but make no mistake, each and every one of these soldiers and airmen will meet and exceed the expectation that we have for them. They are, in fact, America's best.

I'm proud of each and every one of them. I pray for each and every one of them today, and in particular for these two young service members who are willing to go above and beyond and pay whatever price our nation asks of them.

[09:35:10]

I ask every American today to keep them in their thoughts and prayers as you go about your day.

Thank you.

JEANINE PIRRO, U.S. ATTORNEY FOR D.C.: Thank you, General.

AUDIE CORNISH, CNN ANCHOR: OK, the voice there of Brigadier General Leland Blanchard of the National Guard, speaking at a press conference this morning about the shooting of two National Guard members who are currently still in critical condition in local hospitals.

We heard also from the U.S. attorney, Jeanine Pirro. She was able to tell us that the suspect, who is Rahmanullah Lakamal, 29-years-old, Afghan, entered the U.S. back in 2021 under what was then known as Operation Allies Welcome. Pirro said that he used a Smith and Wesson 357 revolver. Those are the allegations as it stands right now. We also heard from FBI Director Kash Patel. He was able to tell us

that he was going to be -- that the lab right now is looking at the gun in that case.

And we're going to turn now to some of the questions that Patel is receiving about the investigation.

PATEL: We ended up in San Diego, where interviews were conducted, and are going to be -- continued to be conducted. And we will go anywhere in the country or the world where the evidence leads us.

REPORTER: Are there accomplices, relationships in San Diego you can talk about?

PATEL: All of that is an ongoing investigation.

REPORTER: Can anyone give an update as far as Sarah and Andrew, who were injured. You say critical condition. Can you give anything beyond that? Are they expected to make it? Is it touch and go? Can you tell us a little more about how they're doing?

REPORTER: And the full spelling of their names, please.

PIRRO: It is Sarah Beckstrom, b-e-c-k-s-t-r-o-m. And Andrew Wolfe, with an e, w-o-l-f-e. OK. And Sarah Beckstrom.

REPORTER: How do you spell Sarah?

PIRRO: Oh, s -- with an h. OK.

Now, with respect to their medical condition, as I said, they're receiving the finest medical care. Their families are with them now. They are critical. I think you understand the meaning of that. That it's not clear, you know, how this is going to end up.

But let me be perfectly clear about how it will end up in this office. If one of them is to pass, and God forbid that happens, this is a murder one, period, end of the story. We are praying, on a day like today, when families come together in America, and they hold hands around the Thanksgiving table, I beg you, I beseech you, to pray for these two young people that they survive.

OK, I think that's it. Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you everybody.

REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) said that there was a radical Islamist --

CORNISH: OK, we just heard there from this press conference, from the U.S. attorney, also FBI Director Kash Patel. Right now we have learned the names of the two victims, the National Guard members. They are Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom, who are National Guard members from West Virginia. We've also learned that the suspect, who is now in custody at a local hospital, where he is under guard.

Other details learned today, that the suspect is alleged to have come from Bellingham, Washington state, and to have driven possibly cross country in allegations to commit these acts.

We also heard there from Jeanine Pirro some pretty strident words, saying that this suspect messed with the wrong city and messed with the wrong targets.

Right now, I want to stress, those National Guardsmen, guards woman and guards man, they are in critical condition. So, any charges against this suspect right now remain attempted assault.

I want to bring in an expert who can give us a little more detail. Juliette Kayyem is here.

Juliette, I know you were listening. Juliette is our CNN senior national security analyst.

We did hear a little bit of detail from Kash Patel about the investigation itself. Can you talk about what we've learned.?

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: So, we've learned essentially that the equivalent of sort of a joint terrorism task force is being established. That's an entity that will look and sort of centralize local, state and federal resources to determine this specific incident. In other words, the suspect, where he was, how he got from Washington to D.C., how he got hold of the gun. Did he talk to anyone about this? Did he have anyone supporting him in this? What was his relationship with the United States government in the last couple months? Because we know he came here on a temporary visa after Afghan -- Afghanistan fell and then it was more regularized under the Trump administration in terms of his asylum status.

There is also reporting that he assisted in intelligence efforts during the Afghan war. All of those are going to have to be looked at to determine his motive.

[09:40:05]

And why now, you know, essentially. Why did this happen now in terms of his targeted attempt at a killing of two guards members. And for all we know, we do not know that they are -- that they are clear yet and will survive.

CORNISH: Yes. Right now they're in critical condition.

KAYYEM: Yes.

CORNISH: We heard Jeanine Pirro saying that -- should that change, she would definitely be talking about different charges. But for now, we know that both the guardsmen and the suspect hospitalized and an investigation that is spanning the country because of this allegation that the suspect crossed the country to come to Washington with these targets in mind. Also questions being raised about their vetting as they came to the U.S. under an asylum program.

Juliette, thank you so much for speaking with us. We'll check in with you later today. I want to thank you. "Thanksgiving in America" does continue after this break. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:45:24]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, welcome back. You are looking at one of the giant balloons. And that is Bluey. Crikey (ph).

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Bluey, of course, from Brisbane, Australia, part of the BBC series that is a worldwide sensation.

This is CNN's special coverage of "Thanksgiving in America."

There's Bluey's backside right there.

SIDNER: There it is.

BERMAN: Not as famous as his face, but -- but cherished just as much here at the parade by the some 3.5 million people who have lined this parade route. They are so excited to be here.

SIDNER: Oh, look, the sheep, the ones we need to go to sleep there. One of the fun floats here at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 99th annual. Yes, this has been going on for 99 years here in New York City.

And we are looking at parades across America, from Philadelphia, to Detroit, to Chicago, to right here in New York.

And speaking of in New York. One of my favorite things to do in the city, and I know it's one of yours, John, is to go to Broadway. We love a Broadway show. And now we're giving you a little taste. Crank up the volume for the Broadway cast of the Tony Award winning musical "Six."

Now, "Six" is about a serious subject, but it is hilarious. The hit show reexamines Henry the VIII's wives as pop icons, telling their side of the story.

Here's the queen's powerhouse performance of "Ex-Wives."

("SIX" PERFORMING "EX-WIVES")

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:54:30]

BERMAN: All right, welcome back to CNN's special coverage of "Thanksgiving in America." You're looking at live pictures from Detroit. They're just getting ready for the start of their festivities. You can see people there lining the streets in motor city. They are anticipating a great day out there. A little more chilly. Here in New York it's been lovely. Just lovely all morning long.

SIDNER: It has been perfect. You are seeing the floats and the balloons, the massive balloons that have been coming through here in New York and the 99th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.

[09:55:03]

We have been doing this -- this parade has been going on for hours now. We've been seeing almost every single float. We have seen almost every one of the giant balloons, including one of the newest balloons that's -- that has debuted, the Labubu.

BERMAN: Labubus are everywhere.

SIDNER: The Labubus are everywhere. We've also seen Pac-Man, which is brand new this year. And we are looking right now at a float here that's just going by from Kinder. You know those yummy chocolate meters (ph). They've got a yum-o-meter there. And we are just enjoying what is an absolutely beautiful day in New York. It is sunny, crisp and cold.

This holiday is truly, though, all about giving thanks. Just ask 19- year-old Jason Martin, who spent years living in foster homes, homeless shelters and group homes. But now he has a place to call his own thanks to an amazing group called Sense of Home.

Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWD: Jason, you're home. Jason, you're home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Sense of Home President George -- Georgie Smith says the need to support foster youth has never been greater.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGIE SMITH, PRESIDENT, SENSE OF HOME: For those that go into the foster care system, many don't realize that a large majority are not adopted. And so kids that are in the system have an average of seven different relocations during that period in foster care.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: And as for Jason's future, he's planning to go to college to study business and then one day open his own business to support future foster kids.

SIDNER: Congratulations to Jason. It is quite a feat for him after all that he's been through.

Now, look it. We just -- let's just give a pause to what's behind us now.

BERMAN: We're kind of in the Christmas section of this parade. SIDNER: We are.

BERMAN: You know, we started Thanksgiving with Tom the Turkey. We end ultimately with, well, you know who, the big guy.

SIDNER: The big guy.

BERMAN: The big guy is coming up.

SIDNER: The jolly -- the jolly giant elf.

BERMAN: He's not here yet, but we've got our eye out for him. That's only in New York, though. But as we say, this isn't just Thanksgiving in New York, this is "Thanksgiving in America." We're all over the country watching these parades. And next hour Houston's Thanksgiving Parade kicks into gear.

SIDNER: I mean we're going to see all sorts of mascots there, too. Toro. I'm always looking forward to seeing an animal.

Plus, a new twist on how to serve turkey. The two chefs tried to teach me a thing or two. See how that turned out. Don't blink.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)