Immigrant Suspect Identified in Guard Shooting
The individual believed to have shot two National Guard soldiers near the White House on Wednesday is an immigrant from Afghanistan, who arrived in the United States during President Biden’s 2021 evacuation efforts, according to former President Trump.
Trump labeled this incident and the influx of migrants during Biden’s administration as “the single greatest national security threat facing our nation.” He pledged to reassess the status of every Afghan admitted over the past four years and investigate potential risks within the immigrant community.
In a video address on Wednesday night, Trump stated, “No country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival.” While he did not disclose the suspect’s name, CBS has identified him as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Lakanwal entered the U.S. on September 8, 2021, as part of “Operation Allies Welcome,” which aimed to assist Afghans who supported U.S. military efforts.
Noem refrained from naming the suspect further, stating he should be denied any notoriety. Trump noted that Lakanwal had his legal status extended through legislation enacted by Biden. Reports indicate that he applied for asylum last year and received approval this year.
The two soldiers involved were part of Trump’s deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops and belonged to the West Virginia National Guard. Authorities reported that they were critically injured when Lakanwal opened fire unexpectedly.
Trump emphasized that threats from immigrants extend beyond just Afghans. He referenced a report indicating Somali immigrants in Minnesota were allegedly defrauding government assistance programs and funneling money to al-Shabaab, a terrorist group in Somalia. “We’re not going to put up with these kinds of assaults on law and order by people who shouldn’t even be in our country,” he asserted.
The former president insisted that while Afghans will be re-evaluated, scrutiny will also apply to any foreign nationals lacking legitimate reasons for being in the U.S. “If they can’t love our country we don’t want them,” Trump declared.
The Afghan airlift has faced criticism since its inception due to its connection with troop withdrawals initiated by Trump and executed by Biden in 2021. The Taliban swiftly regained control over Afghanistan, prompting urgent efforts from the Biden administration to evacuate those who had aided U.S. forces during two decades of conflict.
Approximately 77,000 Afghans were evacuated between July and August 2021, with another 4,000 arriving within a year thereafter. Experts have indicated that many evacuees lacked direct ties to military operations and were instead local residents who managed to reach Kabul airport amidst Taliban checkpoints.
This latest incident is not isolated; previous participants from the airlift have raised alarms as well. Nasir Tawhedi was among those evacuated in 2021 and later pleaded guilty for involvement in a plot targeting Election Day last year—though authorities intervened before any violence occurred.
