US President Donald Trump blamed the previous Joe Biden administration for a shooting attack on two West Virginia National Guard members deployed in Washington, D.C. The Republican leader identified the suspect as a foreigner who entered the country from Afghanistan, which he repeatedly described as a “hellhole on Earth.”
Details of the Attack
Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot on Wednesday afternoon just blocks from the White House, an act that Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser described as a targeted attack.
- Victim Status: FBI Director Kash Patel and Mayor Bowser confirmed that the two guardsmen were hospitalized in critical condition.
- Suspect: The suspect, identified as an Afghan national named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was taken into custody after being shot by other guardsmen.
Trump Blames Biden Administration’s Evacuation
Speaking at a White House press conference over the incident, President Trump declared the shooting an “act of terror” and directly implicated the Biden administration’s handling of the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation.
“This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror,” Trump said.
He confirmed the suspect’s status, stating: “I can report tonight that based on the best available information, the DHS is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner, who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on Earth.”
Trump provided specific details linking the suspect to the evacuation program:
- Entry Time: The suspect “was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021,” referring to the massive airlift operation.
- Status Extension: Trump added that the suspect’s status was later extended under legislation signed by President Biden.
- Vetting Criticism: The President criticized the lack of proper vetting, stating that “Nobody knew who was coming in.”
Vow to Re-Examine All Afghan Arrivals
Following the incident, President Trump vowed to take immediate action regarding the status of other Afghan arrivals admitted under his predecessor’s term.
“We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden,” he asserted, promising that his administration would “reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan” during Joe Biden’s presidency.