Write a commentHey Fam, welcome to the second iteration of Truth in Turmoil.
The last two weeks have weighed heavily on our community, marked by the shocking attack in DC and sweeping changes to federal student loans. These aren’t just headlines—they shape the very reality we wake up to each day. Out of respect for your time and the seriousness of this moment, I won’t waste words. We’re going to get right to the heart of what’s happening, break down the major facts, and talk candidly about what it all means for us. Because in times like these, staying informed isn’t just smart—it’s survival. Let’s dig in.
Fast Ten: What’s Happening Right Now
1. Two National Guard Soldiers Shot in DC: On Wednesday November 26th, just blocks from the White House, an apparent ambush style terrorist attack two national guard soldiers were shot by a lone gunman leaving one critically wounded and one who would die at the hospital.
2. Epstein Files to Be Released: Congress nearly unanimously passed H.R4405 Epstein Files Transparency Act with only Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) voting against mandating the public release of the Epstein files.
3. Major Changes at Department of Ed & Ag: FAFSA, Food stamps, HEAP, and housing subsidies are all shifting under the new laws of the One Big Beautiful Bill.
4. NYC Elects New Mayor: Democrat Zohran Mamdani becomes the 111th Mayor of NYC, beating Andrew Cuomo (I) and Curtis Sliwa (R). He’s the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first Democratic Socialist to win the city.
5. Israel Strikes Across Borders: Israel hits Hamas targets in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, with the death toll now at 280–339 since the beginning of the last cease-fire negotiated on 10/10/2025.
6. US-Venezuela Tensions Escalate: The US president hints at possible airstrikes over Venezuela’s non efforts to fight narco-terrorism and instability.
7. Ukraine Under Pressure: Pressure mounts on President Zelenskyy as the war continues, to accept the deal on the table from President Trump.
8. Holiday Shopping Frenzy: This year’s holiday season is expected to hit $1 trillion in spending, despite inflation and tariffs.
9. Tariffs Impacting Holiday Prices: Rising inflation and tariffs are hitting shoppers hard, with costs being passed down.
10. Open Enrollment Decisions: Americans are making critical choices about healthcare for 2026 as political fights continue over ACA subsidies.
Federal Funding Shifts Threaten Vocational and Trade Programs Nationwide
The Department of Education is rolling out changes, using the new rules from Congress’s big bill, that will totally change how student loan money and grants are given out. Here is what you need to know, both fact and opinion, and why it matters for your community, especially in places like Oswego County.
Key Facts: What Has Changed?
The Department of Education is shifting what it will fund. It used to be that if a program was 600 clock hours and 15 weeks, it was eligible for federal funding—grants or loans.
Now, a lot of those programs, especially vocational and trade programs, are getting cut off. They are no longer eligible for Pell Grants or subsidized student loans.
These changes hit hardest at the midpoint in the school year—right when families and students are making post-grad plans. Programs that were once a lifeline for folks not headed to a four-year college are suddenly way more expensive or out of reach.
The Local Impact: Oswego County Feels the Squeeze
This is a big deal for Oswego County, where 15–20% of people go into trades and another 20–25% get work-based training or skills.
- Financial Barrier: That is half the population who depend on these pathways, and now those options are getting a lot more expensive and harder to access.
- Tough Conversations: Families are going to have to sit down and have some tough conversations about affordability and what is realistic for their kids or for themselves if they want to continue their education or job training.
- Changing Landscape: The reality? A lot of folks who would have relied on these programs are going to feel squeezed, and it is going to change the landscape of who can afford to get ahead.
Opinion and Real Talk: A Call to Action
This is not just a bureaucratic change—it is a punch in the gut to anyone who relies on trades or alternative education. If you are in Oswego County, you know how important these programs are. Now, with the rug pulled out from under half the people who use them, it is time to get loud.
We cannot just sit back and watch this happen. You need to ask questions—of your school administrators, of your local and elected officials. Get the facts about what is still covered. Demand answers. Be present for every part of the process, because these changes are just the beginning.
Some changes may end up being for the better, some not so much, and some will just be a headache for everyone. But if you are not involved, you are just letting someone else decide your future for you.
What To Do Now
Action must be taken immediately to understand and mitigate the effects of these cuts:
- Reach out to the schools you are interested in. Ask if your program is still eligible for student loans or grants, and what it will really cost.
- Talk to your local elected officials and ask what they are doing to push back or help with these changes. Make your voice heard—do not let these decisions get made without your input.
Big Picture: Staying Engaged
The way federal programs are administered is changing, and this is just one of many shifts coming down in the pipeline. Oswego County (and similar communities) need to stay awake and engaged, because these changes will keep coming. Stay involved at the local level—your local officials have huge influence over your day-to-day reality.
TURMOIL IN WASHINGTON DC: NATIONAL GUARD ATTACKED
Let’s take a step back and go over what’s actually happened. Here’s a detailed timeline of events leading up to—and just after—the shooting of the two National Guardsmen.
Wednesday November 26th, 2025
2:14 PM: West Virginia national guard members (Staff Sgt.) Andrew Wolfe of Martinsburg, West Virginia and (Spc.) Sarah Beckstrom Summersville, West Virginia were on high visibility patrols in the Franklin Square area of Washington DC just a few blocks from the White House. The mission was in conjunction with the reduction of crime initiative put in force by President Donald Trump.
2:15 PM: Beckstrom shot in an ambush style attack by an unknown Gunman using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, striking her once in the head. The assailant turns and shoots Wolfe multiple times. After the initial shooting, the assailant bends over and strikes Beckstrom second time while she lay on the ground.
2:15 PM: other guard members in the area of the shooting engage and neutralize the shooter, unknown assailant.
2:18 PM: both National Guard members were transported by life flight to Washington Hospital Center.
2:20 PM the unknown gunman was transported to George Washington Memorial Hospital.
3:23 PM: Trump makes his first remark to this on Truth Social. "The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"
4:00 pm: the first press conference was held with FBI Director Kash Patel, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), and other officials from the area. Saying that they will be investigating to the fullest this incident. But also stating there are no other suspects; surveillance video confirms it was a lone gunman.
Lastly they also provided an update on both guardsman Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.
9:15 PM: President Trump speaks from his home in Mar-a-Lago. Condemning this act of terror by describing it as “monstrous, ambush-style attack” and also called for calm, unity, and resilience.
The president also announced that we will re-examine all Afghani entrants and pledge the removal of anybody who is an immigrant that is not seen as beneficial to the United States, then reaffirming his dedication to law-enforcement.
The president lastly stated he would be bringing an extra 500 troops to Washington DC to secure the nation's capital. “I have directed the Department of War to mobilize an additional 500 troops to help protect our capital city. We will make America totally safe again.”
Thursday November 27th, 2025
9:30 AM: a second press conference is held identifying the unknown assailant as Rahmanullah Lakamal (29, Afghan national), entered the US in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome. Also, during this conference stated that this confirmed that this is a lone gunman who traveled from Washington State to Washington DC to commit this crime. Also giving a health update on the guardsman; at this point both were still in critical condition.
6:00PM: stated that Specialist Sarah Beckstrom had succumbed to her injuries.
Beckstrom’s father in a social media post said: "My baby girl has passed to Glory. If I don't talk to you, don't be offended. This has been a horrible tragedy."
Now that we’ve got the facts mapped out, let’s talk about what this means.
WHAT DO WE KNOW?
Here’s What We Do Know:
- The suspect spent at least the last decade working with the CIA in Afghanistan and here in the US, specifically in various “zero units” special response teams.
- He came to the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome, a program launched by the Biden administration during the Afghanistan withdrawal in September 2021.
- The Trump administration granted the individual asylum earlier this year.
- The suspect is currently not cooperating with investigators.
Here’s What We Don’t Know:
- There’s still no confirmed motive behind this attack.
- So far, no other groups have claimed responsibility or said they authorized it.
- We haven’t seen the full response yet—from the federal government or from the global community—so it’s unclear what actions will come next or what the broader impact will be.
Initial Reactions:
- The U.S. government has responded quickly and in unison, strongly condemning the attack as both a national tragedy and a blow to the local communities these Guardsmen called home.
- The President has said there will be a review of current refugees and visa holders from countries considered third-world and "Countries of Concern”.
- The Department of Defense is sending 500 more troops to D.C. to help secure the streets in the aftermath.
This Hits Home
On a personal note, this attack happened in my hometown—not far from where I live—so it really hits close to home. It’s shocking to think someone traveled all the way from Washington State to commit an act of terror on the other side of the country, and until he pulled the trigger, nothing as of this moment before that action is considered a crime.
I think it’s important for everyone to remember not to jump to conclusions. There's a moment, in the aftermath of violence, when the world feels like it’s holding its breath—waiting to see if we’ll let fear win. But we can’t. We shouldn’t. The truth is, fear is the oxygen for those who want to divide us. It’s how hatred multiplies, how chaos becomes contagious. If we let fear dictate our actions or let anger toward one group spill over into anger toward all, then we’re only fueling the same cycle that caused this pain in the first place.
Modernism and centrism aren’t just buzzwords—they’re a call to sanity, to compassion, to the kind of progress that doesn’t leave anyone behind. In moments like these, we need to double down on treating every neighbor, every stranger, with the respect and dignity they deserve. The actions of a few must not become the lens through which we judge the many.
As this story unfolds, there will be loud voices—on all sides—offering sweeping, extreme solutions. But real change doesn’t come from the extremes. It comes from sensible, thoughtful answers. It comes from refusing to let hate define our communities, our policies, or our hearts.
So, let’s choose to be better. Let’s choose to be modern, to be centrist, to be the kind of people who meet tragedy not with more fear, but with more resolve to build a society where hate is never the answer, and where every person—no matter who they are—knows that they belong.
There are some tough questions that need answers: Where did he get the weapon? Why was he allowed to have one as a recent refugee? How many other refugees or foreign nationals have access to firearms here? These are questions we’ll be asking in the days and weeks ahead.
My heart and thoughts are with everyone in West Virginia affected by this, especially the families of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe.
Wrapping It Up
The past two weeks have been especially stressful for our country, and I’m bringing you these stories because they matter deeply to our community. The events and decisions happening around us have a real and lasting impact on our daily lives. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we stand together, stay informed, and actively participate in shaping the future we want for ourselves and our neighbors.
We cannot afford to be passive or wait until challenges are at our doorstep. Proactive engagement—knowing what’s happening, asking questions, and speaking up—is the most powerful way for our community to protect itself and thrive. When we react only after the fact, we give up our power. But when we stay ahead, we create opportunities for real progress and positive change.
It’s painful to watch our community struggle with issues that could have been prevented if more people had been aware, involved, and willing to act. As we take a brief pause for the holidays, remember that the legislative session will resume after Christmas. I’ll be sharing updates in smaller bursts until then, but our collective involvement doesn’t have to wait.
I urge every reader to seek out information, engage in conversations, and find ways to get involved—whether it’s attending meetings, sharing resources, or simply staying curious. Without this openness and participation, we risk letting the darkness overshadow everything we’ve worked for. As the saying goes, democracy dies in darkness—but together, we can keep the light burning bright.
Hope you had a peaceful Thanksgiving. As we roll into the holidays I am wishing each and every one of you a joyful and peaceful holiday season—Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Yule and a wonderful New Year to all who celebrate. However you observe this season, may it bring you hope, rest, and renewed energy for the year ahead. I look forward to reconnecting with you after the New Year.
