Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been identified as the suspect in the shooting of two U.S. National Guardsmen near the White House. Law enforcement sources confirmed his involvement in the incident, which occurred just blocks from the presidential residence on the day before Thanksgiving. Lakanwal, a legal resident under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, entered the U.S. in 2021 via humanitarian parole. His asylum application was approved under the Trump administration, raising questions about the interplay between U.S. immigration policies and national security.
The shooting took place on a day when the nation was preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday, adding a layer of tension to an already volatile political climate. Despite the circumstances, authorities have stated that the attack is being investigated as a possible act of international terrorism, highlighting concerns about extremist activities within the U.S. border. Lakanwal, who had previously worked with U.S. government entities such as the CIA as a partner force in Kandahar, has a complex backstory that may provide insights into the motivations behind the attack.
According to investigative reports, Lakanwal traveled approximately 2,500 miles from his home in Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C., before the incident. The footage reviewed by police shows him approaching the scene and immediately opening fire on the Guardsmen. Other officers rushed to the area and subdued him, though Lakanwal was severely wounded before being taken into custody. A responding Guardsman reportedly shot and wounded him, leading to his hospitalization and placement under heavy guard.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the incident, condemning the attack as an ‘act of terror’ and a ‘crime against humanity.’ His comments reflect a broader political discourse on immigration and national security, particularly in the context of the Biden administration’s policies. Meanwhile, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser characterized the attack as a ‘targeted shooting,’ emphasizing its significance as an attack on government personnel.
The incident has sparked renewed debates about the implications of asylum and refugee policies, with critics questioning the administration’s approach to resettling individuals from conflict zones. With no clear motive established for the attack, the case continues to draw attention from both the public and policymakers, underscoring the complexities of balancing national security and humanitarian values in the face of rising global instability.