'Allies Welcome' Under Fire After Guard Shot in DC
Undated photograph of Rahmanullah Lakanwal released by the Department of Justice. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice. Public domain.
A deadly shooting near the White House has reignited fierce debate over immigration policies and national security, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply blaming former President Joe Biden's administration. The attack, which claimed the life of a young National Guard member and left another critically injured, is reportedly being framed by Leavitt as a tragic but predictable outcome of what she calls "reckless" vetting and mass Afghan admissions under Biden's Operation Allies Welcome.
A Tragic Attack and Its Fallout
The shooting unfolded when Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, allegedly opened fire on two National Guard members stationed in Washington, D.C. Twenty-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed, while 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities have described the incident as a suspected terror attack, with Lakanwal's asylum application reportedly approved in April 2025 by the Trump administration under the Biden administration's resettlement program for Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
Leavitt did not mince words in a press conference, condemning Biden's leadership as "horrific" and blaming the president for the "original sin" of allowing Lakanwal into the country, as reported by Mediaite. She described the Afghan resettlement effort as a "historic failure" that unleashed "disorder and violence" on American communities, warning that Americans must now "live with the deadly consequences" of these policies.
Operation Allies Welcome Under Scrutiny
Operation Allies Welcome was launched to resettle tens of thousands of Afghans after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal. More than 70,000 Afghans entered the U.S. under this program, which aimed to provide refuge to those who had assisted American forces. However, the vetting process has come under intense scrutiny following the shooting.
Leavitt accused the Biden administration of "recklessly releasing" Afghans with "little to no vetting," a claim echoed by other officials in the Trump administration, as reported by Mediaite. The current White House team has reportedly announced an active re-examination of all Afghan nationals admitted during Biden's tenure, emphasizing that anyone who threatens national security will face removal.
President Donald Trump called the shooter an "animal" and vowed that he would "pay a very steep price," as reported by Mediaite. Following the attack, the Trump administration reportedly halted all immigration requests from Afghanistan and ordered a rigorous review of green card holders from 19 "countries of concern," including Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, and Venezuela.
Political Backlash and Blame Game
The shooting has sparked a heated political exchange. Leavitt's comments came amid criticism of Democrats who, according to her, defend terrorists rather than protect Americans. She accused the Biden administration of a "complete and total betrayal of the American people" during its years in office, as reported by Mediaite.
Meanwhile, the Trump White House pushed back against Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who blamed President Trump for deploying National Guard troops in the nation's capital, suggesting that military involvement in law enforcement roles is problematic, as reported by the New York Post. The Trump White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson countered that the shooter "would've never been here if not for Joe Biden's dangerous policies," emphasizing that the Trump administration is working to "clean up the mess made by the Biden administration."
Questions Over Vetting and Radicalization
The vetting process for Afghans admitted under Operation Allies Welcome remains contentious. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that the suspect was brought into the country under Biden's program and suggested he may have been radicalized after arrival in the U.S, as reported by ABC News. She claimed the vetting was inadequate based on Biden administration guidelines.
However, this view is disputed by other officials. Former Homeland Security undersecretary John Cohen explained that individuals admitted under the program underwent vetting against classified and unclassified intelligence, including biometric data collection at third-country processing sites, as reported by ABC News. He noted that although some delays occurred, the vetting was extensive and thorough.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen also pushed back against claims that vetting failures led to the attack, calling the Trump administration's pause on asylum decisions "outrageous and unfair," warning against collective punishment of Afghan refugees who had supported U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, as reported by ABC News.
The Human Toll and Security Response
The shooting has profoundly impacted the National Guard community and the nation. President Trump described Specialist Beckstrom as "outstanding in every single way" and expressed sorrow over her death, as reported by Mediaite. He reportedly ordered the deployment of additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., increasing the force to 2,000 to combat crime and enhance security.
The tragedy has prompted a broader review of immigration and asylum policies, with the Trump administration signaling a tougher stance on vetting and border security. The debate over responsibility for the shooting continues to unfold, reflecting deep divisions over immigration, national security, and the legacy of the Biden administration's Afghan resettlement efforts.
As investigations proceed, the nation watches closely, grappling with the consequences of policy decisions and the urgent need to protect both security and humanitarian commitments.
References: Leavitt Blames Biden's 'Horrific Leadership' for DC Shooting | White House hits back after Dem blames Trump for DC shooting despite Afghan terror suspect being let in under Biden | Trump administration reassessing Afghan nationals admitted under Biden admin | Noem says National Guard shooting suspect could have been radicalized in US
