By Matt Underwood FBI probes gunman’s motive in ambush shooting of Guardsmen near White House
The FBI’s joint terrorism task force is now deeply engrossed in unraveling the motives behind the attack that unfolded on Thanksgiving eve, just a stone’s throw from the White House. This investigation aims to shed light on what drove Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan immigrant, to open fire on two National Guard soldiers in what officials have characterized as a clear “ambush.” The incident has sent shockwaves through the nation’s capital and raised serious questions about security and potential threats.
The two National Guard soldiers, who were part of the militarized law enforcement presence authorized months ago by President Trump, were critically wounded in the attack. The suspect, Lakanwal, was apprehended after an exchange of gunfire. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed his identity as an Afghan national, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation.
In response to the shooting, former President Trump, who was at his Florida resort at the time, released a pre-recorded video statement. He condemned the shooting as an “act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror,” and stated his administration would “re-examine” all Afghans who entered the U.S. during the Biden presidency. This statement sparked immediate controversy, prompting the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to halt processing of all immigration requests from Afghan nationals, pending further security review.
Adding another layer to the narrative, the DHS indicated that Lakanwal had entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era initiative designed to resettle Afghan individuals who had supported U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and were at risk of Taliban reprisal.
Initial reports from NBC News, citing a relative of Lakanwal, revealed that he served in the Afghan army for a decade, working alongside U.S. Special Forces troops. According to the relative, Lakanwal was employed by Amazon.com when they last spoke.
A Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Lakanwal had applied for asylum in December 2024 and was granted approval on April 23, 2024, three months after Trump took office. Notably, the official mentioned that Lakanwal, a 29-year-old residing in Washington state, had no prior criminal record.
The shooting occurred near a subway station in a bustling commercial district, close to the White House. Security measures were immediately heightened, with Secret Service agents initiating a lockdown of the presidential mansion as a precautionary measure.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned that former President Trump had requested an additional 500 National Guard troops be deployed to the capital, joining the over 2,000 already stationed there.
Former Vice President JD Vance stated on X that the shooting vindicated the previous administration’s immigration policies.
Criticism regarding the Trump administration’s immigration strategies, however, points to harsh tactics and the indiscriminate targeting of immigrants, including those without criminal records or legal status.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has previously clashed with the former president regarding the deployment of troops, labeled the shooting a “targeted shooting”. Jeff Carroll, executive assistant chief of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, described the incident as an “ambush,” with the assailant appearing to have acted alone.
The two National Guard soldiers, part of the West Virginia National Guard, were conducting a “high-visibility patrol” outside a subway station when the suspect allegedly initiated the attack. After an exchange of gunfire, the suspect was subdued.
The shooting, occurring in the wake of a federal judge’s ruling to temporarily restrict the National Guard’s law enforcement duties in the district without mayoral approval, has ignited further debate.
The incident is framed by those who are against the deployment of troops as another example of how sending troops into a city can create more problems. Those in favor are using it to push an anti-immigration agenda. The article concludes that it is far too early to know the motive behind the shooting and that investigations are ongoing.