By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump says he wants to “permanently pause migration” from poorer nations and is promising to seek to expel millions of immigrants from the United States by revoking their legal status. He is blaming immigrants for problems from crime to housing shortages as part of “social dysfunction” in America and demanding “REVERSE MIGRATION.”

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His most severe social media post against immigration since returning to the Oval Office in January came after the shooting Wednesday of two National Guard members who were patrolling the streets of the nation’s capital under his orders. One died and the other is in critical condition.

A 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War is facing charges. The suspect came to the U.S. as part of a program to resettle those who had helped American troops after U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Trump’s threat to stop immigration would be a serious blow to a nation that has long defined itself as welcoming immigrants.

Since the shooting not far from the White House, administration immigration authorities have pledged to reexamine millions of legal immigrants, building on a 10-month campaign to reduce the immigrant population. In a lengthy social media post late Thursday, the Republican president asserted that millions of people born outside the U.S. and now living in the country bore a large share of the blame for America’s societal ills.

“Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!”

Trump was elected on a promise to crack down on illegal migration, and raids and deportations undertaken by his administration have disrupted communities across the country. Construction sites and schools have been frequent targets. The prospect of more deportations could be economically dangerous as America’s foreign-born workers account for nearly 31 million jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The president said on Truth Social that “most” foreign-born U.S. residents “are on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels” as he blamed them for crime across the country that is predominantly committed by U.S. citizens.

The perception that immigration breeds crime “continues to falter under the weight of the evidence,” according to a review of academic literature last year in the Annual Review of Criminology.

“With few exceptions, studies conducted at both the aggregate and individual levels demonstrate that high concentrations of immigrants are not associated with increased levels of crime and delinquency across neighborhoods and cities in the United States,” it said.

A study by economists initially released in 2023 found immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than people born in the U.S. Immigrants have been imprisoned at lower rates for 150 years, the study found, adding to past research undermining Trump’s claims.

Trump seemed to have little interest in a policy debate in his post, which the White House, on its own rapid response social media account, called “one of the most important messages ever released by President Trump.”

He pledged to “terminate” millions of admissions to the country made during the term of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden. He also wants to end federal benefits and subsidies for those who are not U.S. citizens, denaturalize people “who undermine domestic tranquility” and deport foreign nationals deemed “non-compatible with Western Civilization.”

Trump claimed immigrants from Somalia were “completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota” as he used a dated slur for intellectually disabled people to demean that state’s governor, Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee last year.

On Wednesday night, Trump called for the reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees who had entered under the Biden administration. On Thursday, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, said the agency would take additional steps to screen people from 19 “high-risk” countries “to the maximum degree possible.”

Edlow did not name the countries. But in June, the administration banned travel to the U.S. by citizens of 12 countries and restricted access from seven others, citing national security concerns.

The shooting of the two National Guard members appeared to trigger Trump’s anger over immigrants, yet he did not specifically refer to the event in his social media post.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is accused of driving across the country to the District of Columbia and shooting two West Virginia National Guard members, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. Beckstrom died on Thursday; Wolfe is in critical condition.

The suspect, currently in custody, was also shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening.

Trump was asked by a reporter Thursday if he blamed the shootings on all Afghans who came to the U.S.

“No, but we’ve had a lot of problems with Afghans,” the president said.

Jaylen Crocker-Johnson scored 23 points and Cade Tyson added 19 on a night the Gophers shot 51% from the floor and 45% from deep.

It wasn’t enough to win. Stanford survived Minnesota’s hot shooting, winning 72-68 in Thursday’s Acrisure Invitational in Palm Springs, California — thanks to its domination of the possession game.

The Gophers committed 14 turnovers to Stanford’s eight and were out-rebounded 36-25. Both teams made 25 field goals, but the Cardinal did it with the help of 22 more attempts.

Even with all that, Minnesota (4-3) reclaimed a 58-57 lead with seven minutes to play on a pair of Crocker-Johnson free-throws. But the Cardinal (5-1) responded with a 9-2 run over the next three minutes of play to build enough cushion to hold on at the end.

Minnesota trailed by four in the final 20 seconds of the game when Isaac Asuma hit a triple to bring the Gophers back within one. But, leading by three in the final 10 seconds, Stanford wisely fouled Minnesota with four seconds left, before it could get up a potential game-tying 3-point attempt.

Crocker-Johnson made the first attempt and missed the second, but the Gophers were unable to secure the ensuing rebound attempt.

Ebuka Okorie paced Stanford with 25 points. Minnesota closes out the event with an 8:30 p.m. Friday tilt against Santa Clara.

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Holiday sales can put Kristen Conti in a good mood. Whether it’s a bargain on home decor, designer shoes or a new purse, Conti, 60, said shopping makes her feel happy and alive.

“Black Friday is a killer for me; it’s like my Super Bowl,” she said.

A real estate agent in Englewood, Florida, Conti usually takes the day after Thanksgiving off from work to shop online with her mother. “We make a pot of coffee, put the shopping channels on and overdo it,” she admitted.

This year, however, she’s trying not to spend a dime.

That’s because Conti has more than $50,000 in credit card debt, mostly because of her shopping habit. After spending $800 on Labubu dolls and $500 on Christmas decorations, Conti sought the help of a therapist.

She is now working hard to pay off her debt and change her habits. To thwart any temptation to shop on Black Friday, Conti plans to spend the day with her 11-year-old niece. “We’re going to a capybara farm,” she said.

On Black Friday last year, Americans spent $10.8 billion online, according to data from Adobe Analytics. Studies show that the sales incite a sense of urgency — stoking the fear that if you don’t act now, you’ll miss out. With the convenience of one-click purchases, saved payment information and “buy now, pay later” loans, shoppers get the quick dopamine boost before they are able to pause and consider whether the purchases make sense. This can lead to overspending. Many shoppers who went into debt last year are now trying to keep their habit in check.

Christina Mychaskiw, a pharmacist and blogger in Toronto, splurged on a pair of boots that cost more than a month’s rent during a Black Friday sale in 2018. Back then, shopping helped her beat boredom and ease stress.

“It filled my time because I didn’t really have any other hobbies,” Mychaskiw said. Social media made it worse. She’d spend her paychecks on makeup and skin care. “It was almost like a flex that I could buy the same bronzer as my favorite influencer.”

While Mychaskiw didn’t rack up debt, she was living paycheck to paycheck, without any money in savings. After springing for the boots, she decided to change her ways. “I realized that I was going to be broke for the rest of my life if I didn’t do anything about it,” Mychaskiw, 38, said.

Seeking help online, Mychaskiw taught herself how to conduct a financial audit and embarked on an eight-month no-buy challenge, in which participants stop spending on things like clothes, shoes and makeup. She even wrote a workbook to help others downsize their consumption, “The Minimalist-ish Journal.”

To curb overspending during the holidays, Nathan Astle, a certified financial therapist in Kansas City, Missouri, recommends setting up guardrails, such as deleting your credit card information from online stores, apps and mobile payment services like Apple Pay. Doing so makes it more “annoying to spend money,” he said.

Lauren Bowling, a recovered compulsive shopper in Atlanta, places “points of friction” between herself and spending, she said. When she’s at a brick-and-mortar store, for example, instead of using a cart, she carries everything until her arms feel tired. It’s a built-in limit.

“I also have a 24-hour rule,” Bowling, 38, said. If something catches her eye, she must wait at least one day before making the purchase.

To pump the brakes while shopping online, Erika Wasserman, a certified financial therapist in Florida, suggests using music. Choose one song and listen to the entire tune before hitting the “buy” button. This delay “creates space for you to evaluate that purchase,” Wasserman said. The song can be fun and should relate to your financial goals — a Pavlovian musical cue, like your school anthem that reminds you to pay off your student loans. And instead of adding items to your cart, cultivate a wish list. Often, that minor tweak alone can curb an impulse buy.

Pausing in the moment is just one part of the solution; it also helps to plan ahead.

As Black Friday nears, approach spending with intention. Wasserman suggests making a “must-have” list and noting the typical cost of each item. That way, “when you come across the sale price, you’ll actually know if it’s a deal or not.”

It’s also important to identify your triggers. “It’s not good for me to look at new makeup launches or what I can buy on sale at Sephora,” Mychaskiw said.

The same goes for Bowling. “I recently joined TikTok,” and the ads are “rapid fire,” she said. The social media channel offers everything from South Korean skin care to the latest lip oils, which really pulls her in, she said.

Mychaskiw suggested unfollowing or muting influencers on social media who trigger your shopping habit, and swiping away from Black Friday hauls or recommendations.

Beyond avoiding triggers, understanding the compulsion to shop is crucial.

Astle suggests keeping a money journal to spot spending patterns. Record not just how much you spend, but “what you were feeling before, during and after each purchase,” he said. Sometimes, he explained, spending can disguise an emotion that we’re unaware of and need to figure out.

Bowling’s overspending problem started in college but ended soon after she began working. With the help of a therapist, she realized that she had been using shopping to cope with the loneliness and boredom that came with transferring schools and losing touch with old friends. Making this connection with a therapist helped her face her feelings instead of trying to bury them. Within a few years of graduation, Bowling managed to pay off her debt and rein in her spending.

For Conti, spending is a way to deal with stress and sadness. But positive emotions also play a role. She and her mother bond while shopping. After buying the Labubu dolls, Conti said, she and her mother were like “two little girls squealing with delight about how we’re going to use these Labubus for the holidays.”

She also shops to please others. But after each spree, feelings of shame, guilt and disappointment creep in. Even though her husband is aware of her struggles, she’s quick to break down boxes from her shopping sprints. “I don’t want my husband to have to cut up my boxes,” she said. “There’s a lot of self-loathing.”

Shame is often a telltale sign to take a closer look at your financial behavior, Astle said. It’s an emotion that drives secrecy and avoidance. So if you hide purchases from your partner, avoid looking at your credit card bills or bank accounts, or put off thinking about your finances altogether, consulting a financial therapist or financial adviser could be helpful to address the problem.

Group support, either online or in person, can help reduce stigma and provide emotional hand-holding as you work toward your financial goals. Conti is part of a Facebook group for people with shopping addiction. Members share their successes and encourage one another to keep trying, even when they face setbacks.

Debtors Anonymous has a structure similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, providing a 12-step program and a support person known as a “sponsor.” Pairing up with a like-minded friend can also keep you accountable during Black Friday, Cyber Monday or other high-pressure sale periods.

Conti plans to speak with her therapist more often during this shopping season. “It’s stopping me a bit,” she said, because “when we meet, I don’t want to admit that I screwed up.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

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Gophers volleyball star setter Stella Swenson was riding a high when she arrived in Dinkytown in January of 2024.

Gophers freshman setter Stella Swenson delivers a set during Minnesota’s loss to USC on Nov. 1, 2025 at Maturi Pavilion (Claudia Staut / Gophers Athletics)

Swenson capped off her high school career by winning her third consecutive state title with Wayzata in 2023 two just months prior.

But after hitting a peak point in her volleyball career, she went through the tough mental battle while redshirting for her first year with the Gophers.

Swenson said it was challenging sitting back and watching matches. But there were advantages to the year off, like her physical growth.

“Going into college, I thought I was in shape,” Swenson said. “And then after my first lift, I couldn’t feel a muscle below my neck.”

Swenson met the challenge head-on. She brought a list of questions to Gophers strength coach Sara Wiley: “How can I get stronger? How can I go up in weights? What can I do at home?”

The curiosity and determination paid off for Swenson, as Gophers head coach Keegan Cook said the freshman experienced one of the best physical transformations he has seen from a young player.

There was a key question Cook asked himself after taking the Minnesota job in 2023: “Do we have a setter coming in the future that can lead us back to where we want to be?”

“The answer was ‘Yes,’ ” Cook said.

Swenson has totaled 1,047 assists (9.79 assists per set) this season despite the team being decimated by four season-ending injuries to starting-caliber players. That sent the lineups into flux.

But Cook said when adversity hits the team, Swenson always looks internally for solutions.

“She’s just working to better the ball at all times,” Cook said. “The fact that we could be having even a higher hit (percentage) for the season than last year, I think, is a really good sign.”

Minnesota hit .242 a year ago in setter Melani Shaffmaster’s fifth year. This fall, Minnesota is hitting .283 with Swenson as the orchestrator.

Swenson said while not playing last year was tough, she gained invaluable experience from Shaffmaster.

“Being able to see how she demanded the court and what she said and how she acted in certain moments, I just pocketed every single thing,” Swenson said. “I love to learn. So, watching her, I learned so much from her.”

Another guiding voice in her volleyball career is her sister, Samantha Seliger-Swenson, who is the only Gophers volleyball player ever to earn All-America honors in each of her four seasons.

Stella Swenson said her sister passed down wisdom about Big Ten volleyball and developing relationships with hitters.

“I know everything that she says I can trust, because she was in my shoes 10 years ago, not even,” Stella Swenson said. “So being able to have that resource has been really cool.”

Gophers freshman setter Stella Swenson hits a serve during Minnesota’s loss to USC on Nov. 1, 2025 at Maturi Pavilion (Claudia Staut / Gophers Athletics)

The setter position was the biggest hole in the 2025 Gophers roster after Shaffmaster, a five-year starter, graduated following a stellar 2024 senior season. Swenson answered the call, posting 30 or more assists in each of her first five matches. Minnesota opened the season 12-1.

The Gophers started to feel the burden of the injuries early on in conference play. Minnesota lost three of its first five Big Ten matches in October, right before a road test at Washington — Cook’s former team.

Cook said Swenson was crucial for the Gophers after they lost the first set to the Huskies. The Gophers went on to take three consecutive sets to defeat Washington.

“I really thought she and her teammates just put their heads down and decided that they were going to become the team they needed to become,” Cook said. “Stella’s leadership was a big part of that and continues to be. So pretty much ever since that Washington match, it seems like we’ve become a new team.”

Swenson said the team had a “mindset shift” against Washington and has pushed on since. Swenson’s signature performance came in a five-set win at Iowa on Nov. 16, when she put up 58 assists.

It was the first time a Gophers setter had 58 or more assists in a match since Shaffmaster had 60 on Feb. 5, 2021.

Swenson said the first thing she looked for on the stat sheet after the game was how her hitters did.

“The fact that all of them like Carly (Gilk), Kelly (Kinney), Jordan (Taylor), Lourdes (Myers), all got career highs in something, I was proud of them,” Stella Swenson said. “And then I was like, ‘Oh, hey, 58 assists, that’s not too bad, either.’ ”

Swenson loves to say, “I could set my hitters blindfolded.” On that afternoon in Iowa City, she very well could have. She added that it was her highest assist total ever in a single match. Swenson added another 40 in 19th-ranked Minnesota’s four-set victory over 11th-ranked Purdue on Wednesday — the Gophers’ fifth straight win.

Minnesota (22-8) will wrap up the regular season Friday with a home date against No. 10 Wisconsin.

Swenson said it’s a blessing to get to show up to Maturi Pavilion every day and compete with her teammates, highlighting one who shares the sentiment.

“I’ll have these conversations with Kate Thibault (Watertown native) all the time, because I played club with her when I was 14, and we’ve been best friends ever since,” Swenson said. “The fact that I get to be here on my dream team with her, on her dream team, is just incredible.”

The dream of playing at “The Pav” may have been realized, but Swenson’s hunger to improve and win continues to spur her on. She said this squad’s ability to battle while regularly starting five freshmen shows the program’s bright future.

“I’m like, ‘Holy crap, this is how hard we’re competing, imagine how much we’re gonna grow in the next couple of years together and how hard we’re gonna compete then,’ ” Swenson said. “That’s so cool.”

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