In a shocking incident near the White House, two members of the West Virginia National Guard sustained critical injuries in a shooting. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has sparked a thorough federal investigation into the event. The case has also brought to the forefront discussions about immigration policies following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Lakanwal reportedly arrived in the United States through "Operation Allies Welcome," a program initiated after the fall of Kabul in 2021, designed to expedite the admission of Afghan nationals connected to U.S. operations. Intelligence officials corroborated that he had worked in Afghanistan alongside U.S. entities, including a stint with the CIA as part of a partner force in Kandahar.
This association was a central factor in the decision to allow his entry into the U.S., which occurred within weeks of the withdrawal, during a period characterized by accelerated admissions of Afghan nationals. CIA Director John Ratcliffe criticized the admission decision. Ratcliffe conveyed his disapproval to Fox News Digital, emphasizing that the decision-making in the aftermath of the withdrawal was flawed and that individuals like Lakanwal should not have been allowed entry into the country.
The FBI is now leading the investigation, treating the case as a potential international terrorism matter. They are thoroughly reviewing Lakanwal's communications, background, and activities since his arrival in the U.S. While the Guardsmen remain hospitalized, authorities have not disclosed whether they suspect involvement of broader networks or foreign connections.
President Donald Trump, addressing the nation, condemned the attack as a "savage attack" and an "act of evil, hatred, and terror," calling it "a crime against our entire nation and humanity." He extended his sympathies to the victims and their families and assured the country that he would ensure the perpetrator faces severe consequences.
The Mayor of Washington D.C., Muriel Bowser, confirmed that the shooting was intentional and targeted specifically at the Guardsmen. The attacker is now in custody.
As the investigation unfolds, there is an intensifying debate over the vetting of evacuees who were admitted under emergency authorities in 2021 and whether decisions made during the withdrawal are continuing to have security implications today.
