National Guard targeted in DC Shooting: Suspect in Custody, Political Fallout Intensifies
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The nation is reeling after a brazen attack on members of the District of Columbia National Guard on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, leaving two guardsmen injured and sparking a wave of political reaction. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. under the “Operation Allies Welcome” program,is now in custody as authorities investigate the motive behind the ambush.
Biden, Obama, and Harris Respond to the Violence
President Joe Biden expressed his “heartbreak” over the incident, while former President Donald Trump has publicly blamed Biden for the shooting. Trump, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, made the accusation via social media. Expressions of sorrow and support also came from former President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, House speaker Mike Johnson, and california Democrats Gavin Newsom and Ro Khanna, highlighting the widespread shock and concern across the political spectrum.
Details of the Attack and the Response
According to reports from CBS News’s Jennifer Jacobs, the attacker initially discharged four shots from his own weapon at two National Guardsmen. He then allegedly took a weapon from one of the downed officers and continued firing before being subdued by a third guardsman. The District of Columbia National Guard released a statement condemning the “senseless act of violence.” General Steven Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and his senior enlisted advisor, John Raines, announced they where returning to Washington, D.C., from Guantanamo Bay, where they were planning to spend Thanksgiving with troops. “We are devastated by this senseless act of violence, and we will remain on station to defend and protect our fellow citizens at home and abroad,” Nordhaus added.
Operation allies welcome and the Suspect’s Background
Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies welcome, a Biden-era program designed to resettle Afghan nationals who had assisted the U.S. military during the War on Terror. However, CNN reported that Lakanwal submitted a new asylum submission in December 2024, which was surprisingly granted by the trump administration in April 2025. NBC News further revealed that Lakanwal served in the Afghan army for ten years, including time alongside U.S. Special Forces in Kandahar. The FBI’s joint terrorism task force is currently investigating the circumstances that led to the “ambush” attack on Thanksgiving eve.
Concerns and Condemnation from Advocacy Groups
The afghan advocacy group AfghanEvac condemned the shooting but cautioned against using the incident to unfairly target the Afghan community in the U.S. “We reject and condemn anyone who uses, or seeks to use, violence, and we stand with every American who is horrified and saddened by this crime,” stated Shawn VanDiver, president of the San Diego-based group. VanDiver emphasized that Afghan immigrants undergo extensive security vetting and that the actions of one individual shoudl not define an entire community. “Those who would twist this moment to attack Afghan families aren’t seeking safety or justice – they’re exploiting division and endangering all of us,” he said.
Increased Security Measures and Political Reactions
In response to the attack, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that 500 additional National Guardsmen will be deployed to washington, D.C. The declaration came amidst heightened security concerns and calls for a thorough examination into the incident. Initial reports from West Virginia Governor Patrick morrisey, stating the two Guardsmen had died, were later retracted after he received “conflicting reports” regarding their condition. Homeland Security secretary also issued a strong statement, denouncing the shooter as “depraved.” Further reactions came from Kristi Noem, FBI Director Kash Patel, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, all expressing outrage and offering support to the affected families and the National Guard.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of Lakanwal’s motives and any potential connections to extremist groups. This incident has reignited the debate surrounding immigration policy, national security, and the challenges of resettling refugees while ensuring public safety.
