Trump Says 1 of 2 National Guard Shot by Afghan National Has Died/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom after a shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national. The suspect, a former CIA-backed Afghan soldier, is under arrest, raising national security and immigration concerns. Trump used the incident to criticize the Biden-era refugee program.
National Guard Shooting Aftermath Quick Looks
- Trump announced death of National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20
- Second Guard member, Andrew Wolfe, remains hospitalized in critical condition
- Afghan shooter Rahmanullah Lakanwal formerly worked with CIA-backed units
- Incident occurred near White House, triggering political and security concerns
- Trump labels it a “terrorist attack,” pushes immigration overhaul
- Shooter entered U.S. via Operation Allies Welcome in 2021
- Charges may escalate following Beckstrom’s death
- Over 2,200 National Guard troops currently stationed in Washington, D.C.
- Calls renewed for aggressive vetting of Afghan refugees
- Shooter’s CIA ties and asylum status under scrutiny
Deep Look: Trump Decries Vetting System After Afghan National Kills U.S. Guard Member
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — President Donald Trump declared the death of a young National Guard specialist following a shooting by an Afghan refugee near the White House, calling it a tragic and avoidable act caused by what he deems a failed immigration policy.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries after being shot in what Trump described as a “terrorist attack” by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29. Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. The suspect had worked with a CIA-supported Afghan military unit before relocating to the U.S. through the Operation Allies Welcome program in 2021.
“She’s no longer with us,” Trump said during a Thanksgiving Day call with troops. “She’s looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her.” He praised Beckstrom as an “incredible person” and confirmed he had spoken with her family.
The president brandished a photograph of Afghan evacuees aboard a U.S. military plane, invoking the chaotic 2021 Kabul evacuation. He cited the tragedy as evidence of the dangers posed by what he calls insufficient vetting of Afghan refugees, adding, “He went cuckoo. I mean, he went nuts.”
Afghan Shooter Tied to CIA-Backed Military Force
Lakanwal reportedly served in the Zero Units, elite Afghan paramilitary forces trained and supported by the CIA, especially active in conflict-heavy regions like Kandahar. Sources indicate he held a leadership role, managing GPS operations and leading combat teams.
He entered the United States alongside roughly 76,000 Afghan evacuees as part of President Biden’s effort to resettle allies following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Though he applied for asylum during the Biden presidency, the approval reportedly came during the Trump administration.
A cousin of Lakanwal confirmed his prior military role and family origins in Khost province. The cousin, fearing reprisal, shared that Lakanwal had been in service since 2012, gradually rising through the ranks.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Terror Charges
Lakanwal allegedly used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver in what U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro described as an “ambush-style” attack. Initial charges included assault with intent to kill while armed and firearm possession during a violent crime. With Beckstrom’s death, prosecutors are expected to upgrade the charges.
The suspect was also wounded during the confrontation, but his injuries are not life-threatening. The motive for the attack remains unclear, with federal investigators continuing their review of the shooter’s history and mental state.
National Guard Role in Ongoing D.C. Security Operations
In recent months, Trump’s administration deployed thousands of National Guard troops to cities including Washington, D.C., citing public safety and national security. At the time of the shooting, over 2,200 Guard members were active in the capital, involved in security patrols, traffic checkpoints, and event staffing.
The deployment stems from an August executive order that briefly federalized the D.C. police force. Although the order expired after 30 days, Guard units have remained as part of Trump’s broader efforts to combat violent crime.
Following the shooting, the Trump administration deployed an additional 500 National Guard members to the capital, intensifying security ahead of the holiday season.
Trump Renews Immigration Criticism
The incident has reignited fierce political debate around refugee resettlement, especially programs targeting those affiliated with U.S. military operations abroad. Trump demanded a full reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees resettled under Biden-era initiatives, alleging that national security is being compromised.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow pledged stricter background checks for individuals from 19 so-called “high-risk” nations. While the agency didn’t list the countries, recent travel bans have already been enforced for 12 nations and restricted travel from seven others.
Advocates for Afghan refugees argue that Operation Allies Welcome conducted extensive vetting, noting the moral obligation the U.S. holds toward those who served alongside American forces. Still, the tragedy has brought new scrutiny to those claims.
Shooter’s Life in the U.S.
Lakanwal had been living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. His former landlord, Kristina Widman, confirmed the family’s presence in the area, describing them as quiet tenants. Lakanwal’s past and his journey from Afghan military elite to an American suburb now form part of a complex and politically charged investigation.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe acknowledged that Lakanwal’s affiliation with the agency ended shortly after the 2021 Kabul evacuation. Ratcliffe provided no further detail but indicated that the agency is cooperating with ongoing inquiries.
As the nation mourns the death of Beckstrom and prays for Wolfe’s recovery, the shooting marks a rare and grim moment: a violent loss of U.S. service members on home soil by an allied refugee. For Trump, it’s also a rallying point in his larger campaign against what he calls dangerously lenient immigration policies.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.