Shooting Near White House Leaves two National Guard Members in Critical Condition, Sparks Political Fallout
Two West Virginia National Guard members are fighting for their lives after being shot while on patrol near the White House on Wednesday afternoon, igniting a firestorm of political debate and prompting a review of security protocols for Afghan immigrants.
The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m., according to Jeffrey Carroll, the executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.The gunman opened fire on the Guard members before being subdued by nearby troops and taken into custody. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser characterized the attack as “targeted.” Both injured Guard members underwent surgery, but their condition remains critical, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The suspect has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakamal, an Afghan national who arrived in the U.S.in 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome, a program established by the Biden management to facilitate the resettlement of Afghans following the Taliban’s takeover. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Lakamal’s entry under this program,which initially granted two-year parole status to evacuees.
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, CIA Director John Ratcliffe revealed that Lakamal had previously worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar. Ratcliffe asserted that the Biden administration should not have allowed Lakamal into the country,stating,”This individual – and so many others – should have never been allowed to come here. Our citizens and servicemembers deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden Administration’s catastrophic failures.” Approximately 200,000 Afghan immigrants and refugees have entered the U.S. as august 2021, with varying degrees of legal status.
Did you know? – Operation Allies Welcome was launched in August 2021 to help evacuate Afghan allies after the U.S.withdrawal. It aimed to provide safe haven for those who assisted the U.S. military and government.
In the wake of the shooting,President Trump labeled the attack “an act of terror” and called for a re-examination of all Afghan nationals who entered the country under the Biden administration. He advocated for the removal of any immigrant deemed not to “belong here or add benefit to our country.” Shortly after Trump’s statement, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services announced a temporary halt to processing immigration applications from Afghan nationals, pending a security review. This decision is likely to impact numerous Afghans who assisted the U.S. government during the 20-year war and now face uncertain futures.
A federal judge recently ruled the D.C. deployment unlawful, though that injunction is currently on hold pending appeal. Trump has now ordered an additional 500 troops to the city.
Pro tip: – Parole status granted to Afghan evacuees under Operation Allies Welcome is temporary. Evacuees must pursue permanent residency or other legal pathways to remain in the U.S. long-term.
A motive for the shooting remains unknown, and the examination is ongoing. Bondi indicated that potential charges against the shooter could include life in prison with terrorism-related offenses, depending on the outcome for the injured Guard members. .
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Reader question: – How should the U.S. balance national security concerns with its commitment to assisting allies who served alongside American forces?
expanded News Report:
What Happened?
On Wednesday afternoon, around 2:15 p.m., Rahmanullah Lakamal, an Afghan national, opened fire on two West Virginia National Guard members while they were on patrol near the White House in Washington, D.C. Both Guard members were critically injured and underwent surgery. Lakam
