Read on PBS NewsTrump Labels National Guard Shooting as Terrorist Attack, Criticizes Biden Administration
President Donald Trump announced the death of a West Virginia National Guard soldier following a shooting near the White House, characterizing the incident as a terrorist attack. The president used the announcement to criticize the Biden administration's Afghan refugee policies, while the suspect—an Afghan national who previously worked with U.S. forces—faces multiple charges. The incident has reignited debates about immigration vetting and military deployment policies in the nation's capital.
In a somber Thanksgiving address to U.S. troops, President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member who was shot near the White House. The president characterized the shooting as a terrorist attack and used the announcement to deliver pointed criticism of the Biden administration's immigration policies regarding Afghan refugees.
The Shooting Incident and Casualties
The attack occurred just blocks from the White House on Wednesday afternoon, involving two West Virginia National Guard members. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remained in critical condition. President Trump described Beckstrom as an "incredible person, outstanding in every single way" during his emotional announcement to troops.
The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, launched what authorities described as an "ambush-style" attack using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. According to law enforcement officials, the suspect was also shot during the incident but sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Political Response and Policy Criticism
President Trump directly linked the shooting to the Biden administration's policies regarding Afghan refugees. "Trump used the announcement to say the shooting was a 'terrorist attack' as he criticized the Biden administration for enabling Afghans who worked with U.S. forces during the Afghanistan War to enter the U.S.," as reported by the Associated Press.
The president suggested that the shooter had become mentally unstable following his experiences in Afghanistan, stating, "He went cuckoo. I mean, he went nuts. It happens too often with these people." This characterization came despite the suspect's previous work with U.S. forces and his legal entry into the United States.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism, describing it as a "coast-to-coast investigation" with multiple search warrants executed. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro declined to provide a specific motive for the attack but confirmed that Lakanwal currently faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Pirro indicated that charges could be upgraded depending on the outcome of Wolfe's medical condition, noting that "if they do not [survive], that will certainly be the charge" of first-degree murder. The investigation continues to examine the suspect's background and potential motivations.
Background of the Suspect
Rahmanullah Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that evacuated approximately 76,000 Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, according to #AfghanEvac, a group that helps resettle Afghans who assisted the U.S. during the war, Lakanwal's asylum was actually approved under the Trump administration.
Lakanwal had previously worked in a special CIA-backed Afghan Army unit known as Zero Units before emigrating from Afghanistan. These paramilitary units, manned by Afghans but backed by the CIA, played a significant role in the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from the country, providing security around Kabul International Airport. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that Lakanwal's relationship with the U.S. government "ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation" from Afghanistan.
Broader Policy Implications
The shooting has reignited debates about immigration vetting processes and the deployment of National Guard troops in American cities. President Trump has deployed National Guard members as part of his administration's mass deportation efforts, with nearly 2,200 troops currently assigned to Washington, D.C., according to government updates.
Following the shooting, the Trump administration ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to Washington. The presence of troops in the nation's capital has become a political flashpoint, with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, previously questioning the effectiveness of using the National Guard to enforce city laws.
In response to the incident, President Trump called for the reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees who entered under the Biden administration, while the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, announced that Trump had directed him to review the green cards of people from countries "of concern."
The tragic shooting near the White House has transformed from a local security incident into a national conversation about immigration policy, military deployment, and the ongoing consequences of the Afghanistan War. As investigations continue and the remaining soldier fights for his life, the incident underscores the complex challenges facing national security and immigration policy in contemporary America.
