Trump Celebrates Thanksgiving with Supporters at Mar-a-Lago Resort in Florida

Former President Donald Trump celebrated Thanksgiving at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida with his wife, Melania Trump. The day began with Trump playing golf in the morning, followed by a phone call with service members that evening to honor their dedication.

Earlier in the week, the couple took part in the annual White House turkey pardoning ceremony, giving a full and unconditional pardon to turkeys named Waddle and Gobble. This event marked the official start of their Thanksgiving celebrations before their departure to Florida.

On Wednesday night, a tragic shooting occurred near the White House involving two National Guard members. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were shot during patrol duty in Washington D.C. Beckstrom later died from her injuries, while Wolfe remained in critical condition after surgery, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

President Trump spoke to the family of Beckstrom on Thanksgiving night, expressing condolences amid the tragedy. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. under a Biden-era program called Operation Allies Welcome. Authorities confirmed that Lakanwal had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan before carrying out the attack.

The assailant drove from Washington state to D.C. to carry out the shooting and was subsequently shot by another Guard member and taken into custody. Trump described the attack as “an act of evil, hatred, and terror” and called it a crime against the nation and humanity. He vowed to review the admission of Afghan nationals under the Biden administration’s program, emphasizing the need to protect national security.

In response to the incident, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an additional 500 National Guard troops would be sent to Washington D.C., increasing the deployed force to over 2,700 members. Trump’s comments on immigration policy highlighted ongoing concerns about national safety amid evolving security challenges.

Throughout the day, Trump’s activities blended holiday traditions with solemn reflections on recent events impacting the nation’s capital. His focus remained on honoring service members and addressing the security situation following the shooting incident near the White House.