Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan man, will face first-degree murder charges for shooting two National Guard members near the White House. The attack killed 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe in critical condition. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said additional charges would also be filed against the 29-year-old suspect. Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 under Biden’s resettlement program for Afghans who aided American forces.
The shooting prompted President Donald Trump to call it a “terrorist attack” and escalate his immigration rhetoric. On social media, he announced a permanent pause on migration from “Third World Countries.” Trump also threatened to terminate all Biden-era asylum approvals and Green Cards from 19 designated countries, including Afghanistan. Officials noted that his executive authority cannot permanently change immigration law, which is set by Congress.
Investigators reported that Lakanwal drove from Washington state to the US capital carrying a .357 Magnum revolver. He ambushed the National Guard members before being wounded in a gunfight with other troops. Lakanwal lives with his wife and five children, and Trump said authorities were reviewing the situation with his family. The suspect had previously served in a CIA-backed Afghan unit before his resettlement.
The shooting triggered a nationwide review of immigration policies and asylum cases. US officials are reviewing all Green Cards and asylum approvals from 19 countries under Trump’s directive. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed regulations to limit benefits for “illegal aliens,” although Congress already restricts such benefits. National Guard presence in Washington decreased following the Thanksgiving holiday after the attack.
International organizations criticized the broad policy response, emphasizing asylum seekers’ legal rights. The United Nations urged the US to respect commitments under the 1953 Refugee Convention. Experts warned that mass restrictions could disrupt families and communities without evidence linking refugees to crime. Despite the tragic incident, human rights groups cautioned against using it to justify sweeping immigration measures.
