President Donald J. Trump addressed questions about the administration’s asylum policies during a November 30, 2025, interview with NewsNation at Joint Base Andrews. When asked how long the administration plans to pause asylum, Trump replied bluntly: “I think a long time. We don't want those people! We have enough problems! Do you understand that?!”

The remarks come in the wake of the November 28 attack on D.C. National Guard personnel by Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who killed one Guardsman and wounded another. Following the incident, the Trump administration expanded its previous pauses on Afghan and Somali visa approvals, halting all asylum decisions to curb entries from nations deemed unstable or presenting potential security risks.

Officials explained that the move is designed to prevent the arrival of individuals who could pose a threat due to post-arrival radicalization. The administration emphasized that the pause is a precautionary measure to protect American lives and national security, particularly in light of recent events demonstrating vulnerabilities in current asylum and immigration processes.

Trump’s comments reflect his broader approach to immigration and border security: prioritizing safety and stability over open-ended admissions from regions with ongoing conflict or insufficient vetting mechanisms. The extended pause is intended to give authorities time to reassess procedures and implement stronger security safeguards for incoming individuals.

While critics may label the policy as restrictive, the administration frames it as a necessary step to ensure that those who enter the United States do so safely, and that American citizens and military personnel are not put at risk by preventable lapses in the asylum process.