(Zero Hedge)—The left’s addiction to reflexively blaming conservatives was on full display this week as New Yorker writer Jane Mayer used the ambush shooting of two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday to criticize the troops’ presence rather than condemn the alleged attacker, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
Mayer took to X within an hour of the broad daylight attack, while the wounded servicemen were still in critical condition, claiming the essential deployment “unnecessary.”
“This is so tragic, so unnecessary, these poor guardsmen should never have been deployed,” the anti-Trump journalist wrote. “I live in DC and watched as they had virtually nothing to do but pick up trash. It was for political show and at what a cost.”
This is so tragic, so unnecessary, these poor guardsmen should never have been deployed. I live in DC and watched as they had virtually nothing to do but pick up trash. It was for political show and at what a cost. https://t.co/ABkOHNHAvG
— Jane Mayer (@JaneMayerNYer) November 26, 2025
Mayer’s tweet drew instant fury from the White House, including Rapid Response X account branding the New Yorker writer a “sick, disgusting ghoul,” while affirming that the National Guard had “saved countless lives.” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung was even more fire and brimstone, writing, “Jane, respectfully, shut the fuck up for trying to politicize this tragedy. They were protecting DC and trying to make the nation’s capital safer.”
The National Guard’s presence was part of a necessary federal effort initiated when President Donald Trump ordered their deployment, along with other federal agents, starting August 11, after declaring a “crime emergency” to restore public safety. The intervention was demonstrably effective, according to D.C. police data. Combined violent crime dropped by 49% (from 180 to 92 incidents) in the 19 days following the deployment, compared to the same period the previous year.
However, the focus quickly shifted from Mayer to a deeper, more alarming national security failure.
Lakanwal was a former “partner force member” who worked with U.S. government entities, including the CIA. Federal sources characterized the calculated act against American personnel as a deliberate “ambush attack.”
Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. just a month after then-President Joe Biden’s disastrous 2021 Afghanistan evacuation under “Operation Allies Welcome,” specifically because of his prior CIA affiliation.
“In the wake of the disastrous Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation,” Ratcliffe told Fox News.
“The individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here,” Ratcliffe added. “Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden administration’s catastrophic failures.”
Shortly after the attack, Trump vowed the responsible “animal” would “pay a very steep price.”
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “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!”
Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.