On CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday, January 26, 2025, Vice President JD Vance defended President Trump’s controversial decision to suspend a refugee program. This decision has left hundreds of Afghan refugees stranded, unable to reach the United States, causing immediate unease among lawmakers and humanitarian organizations.
The refugee program was initially set to be suspended on Monday, triggering chaos for refugees who had already been approved to enter the United States. Among those affected are over 1,600 Afghan nationals who contributed to U.S. forces during the Afghan war, as reported by the Associated Press.
The tension escalated when host Margaret Brennan questioned Vance about his previous backing for well-vetted refugees who had assisted American forces. “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,” Vance retorted.
Under the Operation Allies Welcome initiative, the U.S. government performed extensive security screening on Afghan refugees, including biometric and biographic checks conducted by numerous intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The program also provided medical care, housing, and resettlement help at military facilities before refugees moved to their final destinations.
Vance pointed out the case of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national arrested in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for allegedly planning a terrorist attack on Election Day. Justice Department records reveal that Tawhedi was charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group. The FBI discovered Tawhedi had allegedly taken steps to sell family assets, relocate family members overseas, and obtain AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition for an attack.
Oklahoma officials including the Attorney General and the State Department of Education Superintendent accused the Biden Administration’s refugee resettlement program of being responsible for Tawhedi’s presence in the country. However, Col. Patrick Raglow, Executive Director for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Catholic Charities, refuted these allegations, stating Tawhedi did not enter through their refugee resettlement program.
During the interview, Vance strongly voiced his opposition to allowing inadequately vetted individuals into America, stating he wouldn’t want his own children to live in a neighborhood with such individuals. He dismissed the question of whether Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi had been radicalized before or after his arrival in the United States as irrelevant, emphasizing his main concern was to prevent individuals like Tawhedi from entering the country at all.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) quickly responded to Vance’s comments. They defended their refugee resettlement efforts and highlighted their long-standing partnership with federal agencies in the vetting process. Bishop Mark Seitz of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration criticized the new administration’s “enforcement-only policies” and called for bipartisan immigration reform.
The interview also shifted to economic issues, with Brennan questioning Vance’s ability to explain how the administration’s executive actions would affect everyday costs. Vance mentioned broader economic strategies like job creation and capital investment, but conceded that realizing tangible effects on prices would take time. Brennan, however, highlighted the administration’s campaign promise to reduce grocery costs.
Economists have often warned against deflationary policies, pointing out that significant price drops can destabilize economies. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining steady inflation. While Vance defended the administration’s approach as forward-thinking, Brennan’s pointed questions left the question of when Americans might experience relief at the grocery store unanswered.
