On CBS’s “Face the Nation” on the morning of January 26, 2025, Vice President JD Vance defended the Trump administration’s decision to halt a refugee program. The sudden move has left many Afghan refugees stranded and unable to reach the United States, causing widespread concern among lawmakers and humanitarian organizations.
The program’s abrupt suspension has already upended travel plans for many refugees approved for entry into the United States. Included among those affected are over 1,600 Afghan nationals who supported U.S. forces during the Afghanistan war, as per reports by the Associated Press.
The conversation became tense when host Margaret Brennan questioned Vance about his previous support for well-vetted refugees who had assisted the U.S. forces. Vance countered, “And now that we know that we have vetting problems with a lot of these refugee programs, we absolutely cannot unleash thousands of unvetted people into our country.”
Under Operation Allies Welcome, Afghan refugees undergo thorough security screening by the U.S. government. It includes biometric and biographic checks by numerous intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Most Afghan arrivals are granted humanitarian parole for two years, while those with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) are admitted as lawful permanent residents. The program also furnishes medical care, housing, and resettlement assistance at military facilities before refugees reach their final destinations.
Vance underscored the case of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national arrested in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack on Election Day. Justice Department records indicate that Tawhedi was charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group and acquiring firearms for a terrorist act. The FBI investigations unveiled that he had allegedly made preparations for an attack by liquidating family assets, relocating family members overseas, and obtaining AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition.
Col. Patrick Raglow, Executive Director of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, pushed back against claims that Tawhedi entered the U.S. through their refugee resettlement program. His statement directly challenged assertions made by Oklahoma state officials, including the Attorney General and the State Department of Education superintendent, who linked Tawhedi’s presence in the country to the Biden Administration’s refugee policies.
Vance strongly opposed the entry of inadequately vetted individuals into American communities, asserting that he would not want his children to live in a neighborhood with such individuals, nor would he impose that risk on other American families. When asked by Brennan whether Tawhedi, the Afghan national accused of planning a terrorist attack, had been radicalized before or after his arrival in the U.S., Vance deemed the difference insignificant. He asserted his primary concern was to prevent individuals like Tawhedi from entering the country and believed most Americans shared his viewpoint.
A dispute erupted when J.D. Vance criticized Catholic bishops’ refugee work. The USCCB swiftly defended its resettlement programs and federal vetting partnerships. Bishop Seitz condemned the administration’s enforcement focus and advocated for bipartisan reform. The clash highlighted growing discord between the Catholic Church and the Trump administration over immigration policies.
The interview also shifted to economic issues, with Brennan querying Vance’s articulation of how the administration’s executive actions would affect daily costs. Pressured for specifics, Vance pointed to broader economic strategies like job creation and capital investment but conceded that tangible impacts on prices would take time. Brennan underscored the administration’s pledge to cut grocery costs, noting that most of Trump’s recent executive orders were unrelated to the economy.
Economic experts have consistently warned against deflationary policies, cautioning that significant price drops can destabilize economies, as evidenced during the Great Depression. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has persistently highlighted the need to maintain steady inflation, with the agency aiming for an annual rate of approximately 2%. While Vance defended the administration’s approach as forward-thinking, Brennan’s pointed questions left open how and when Americans might see relief at the grocery store.