Today's News: National Guard Soldiers in Washington D.C. Attacked
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who previously worked with CIA-backed units in Afghanistan.
Photo: Tom Brenner/For The Washington Post
Overview
Date: November 26-27, 2025
Summary: A National Guard member, Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died after being shot in Washington D.C. on November 26, 2025, with Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remaining in critical condition. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who previously worked with CIA-backed units in Afghanistan, was also wounded and is in custody. The incident has triggered a swift and broad response from the Trump administration, including an immediate halt to all Afghan immigration requests, a review of all asylum cases approved under the previous administration, and a re-examination of green cards from 19 “countries of concern,” intensifying the ongoing debate over immigration vetting and the presence of the National Guard in the capital.
Sources
The New York Times - Live Updates: National Guard Soldier Dies From Wounds in D.C. Shooting
CNN - One National Guard member dies, another critically injured after DC shooting
The Washington Post - Afghan national who once worked with the CIA faces charges in D.C. ambush
The Wall Street Journal - National Guard Soldier Dies a Day After D.C. Shooting
Fox News - National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dead after DC shooting: ‘Highly respected’
Key Points
Victims Identified: Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (20) died from her injuries, and Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe (24) remains in critical condition. Both were members of the West Virginia National Guard.
Suspect Identified: Rahmanullah Lakanwal (29), an Afghan national, is identified as the shooter. He was also wounded in the incident and is currently in custody.
Suspect’s Background: Lakanwal had a history of working with CIA-backed paramilitary units (known as “Zero Units”) in Afghanistan and entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome.
Asylum Status: Lakanwal was granted asylum in the United States in April 2025.
Trump Administration’s Immediate Response: Following the shooting, the Trump administration announced an indefinite halt to all immigration requests from Afghan nationals, a review of all asylum cases approved under the Biden administration, and a re-examination of green cards for immigrants from 19 “countries of concern.”
National Guard Deployment Context: The National Guard members were deployed to Washington D.C. as part of President Trump’s initiative to address crime in the capital.
Legal Charges and Investigation: Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for D.C., stated that first-degree murder charges would be pursued against Lakanwal following Specialist Beckstrom’s death. The FBI is leading a multi-agency investigation into the shooting.
Public Outcry and Condolences: The incident prompted widespread condolences and prayers for the victims and their families from government officials and communities, particularly in West Virginia.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times “live coverage” details Specialist Beckstrom’s aspirations to join the FBI and her initial reluctance but eventual enjoyment of her D.C. deployment. The article provides extensive historical context on the “Zero Units,” including accusations of ruthlessness and “death squad” activities by Human Rights Watch, alongside the CIA’s denials. It also reports on internal directives issued to National Guard troops in D.C., warning of a “heightened threat environment” and “nefarious threat actors.” The article describes the lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb against the Trump administration regarding the legality of the Guard deployment and a judge’s preliminary ruling in favor of the city. Additionally, it highlights the broader humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, including millions in need of aid, forced expulsions from neighboring countries, earthquakes, and the significant impact of the Trump administration’s withdrawal of U.S. aid and elimination of USAID on humanitarian services.
CNN mentions President Trump showing a photograph of a chaotic 2021 evacuation plane during his Thanksgiving call with service members, using it to criticize the previous administration’s handling of Afghan arrivals. It also reports that a vigil was held in Webster Springs, West Virginia, in honor of the National Guard members. A U.S. official informed CNN that Lakanwal was “clean on all checks” by intelligence agencies, including the CIA and National Counterterrorism Center, both before working with the CIA and again before coming to the U.S.
NBC News includes a quote from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem describing Lakanwal as “one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome… under the Biden Administration.” A relative of Lakanwal’s states that Lakanwal worked for Amazon Flex (as an independent contractor) and had not been active recently.
The Washington Post reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed a request from President Trump to send 500 additional National Guard members to the District after the shooting. It specifies the initial charges Lakanwal faces: three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The article notes that the two service members had been deputized to conduct security patrols less than 24 hours before the incident and includes a statement from Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II of the D.C. National Guard, asserting the attack made the Guard “more committed” to the president’s directive.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested the administration could pursue terrorism charges and potentially the death penalty against Lakanwal. It also mentions that days before the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security had internally launched a similar review of all refugee cases approved during the Biden administration, distinct from the asylum case review. The article includes a quote from Sam Aronson, a former State Department official, emphasizing the “most intensive vetting” undergone by Afghans who worked with U.S. diplomatic and intelligence personnel.
Fox News cites a Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General report from June that found “no systemic failures” in Afghan refugee vetting or subsequent immigration pathways. It also provides specific statements of condolences from Senators Jim Justice and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia.
Contrasting Details
Vetting Process and Asylum Grant: While the Trump administration consistently attributed Lakanwal’s presence in the U.S. and the shooting to a failure in Biden-era vetting processes (The New York Times, NBC News), several sources (The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News) explicitly state that Lakanwal’s asylum application was approved in April 2025, after President Trump’s return to office. CNN and Fox News further report that Lakanwal passed “all checks” by intelligence agencies. The Wall Street Journal notes that a Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman did not respond to questions regarding the focus on Biden-era cases despite the asylum grant under the current administration.
Description of the Attack: The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, quoting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, provide a detailed account of the shooting, stating that Lakanwal shot one Guard member, then leaned over to strike them again after they fell, before shooting the second Guard member. Other articles generally describe the incident as an “ambush-style” shooting without this specific detail of the second shot to the fallen Guard member.
“Act of Terrorism” Designation: President Trump (CNN, The Wall Street Journal) and FBI Director Kash Patel (The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal) labeled the attack an “act of terrorism.” However, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro (The Washington Post) stated it was too soon to provide a motive, indicating that the official legal determination of terrorism charges was not yet finalized or publicly supported with evidence. Attorney General Pam Bondi (Fox News, The Wall Street Journal) mentioned the possibility of pursuing terrorism charges.
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