FBI Searches for Motive After Guardsmen Shot Near White House in Holiday Ambush

Post by : Saif Nasser

A shocking attack took place just a few blocks from the White House on the eve of Thanksgiving, leaving two National Guard soldiers fighting for their lives. The FBI and its joint terrorism task force are now trying to understand why an Afghan immigrant opened fire on the troops in what officials have called an “ambush-style” attack. The shooting has sparked strong political reactions, new questions about immigration policy, and worries about rising tensions in the country.

The attack happened around midday outside a busy subway station in Washington, D.C. The area is filled with office workers, tourists, and shoppers, making the incident even more alarming. According to police officials, the two soldiers were part of a security patrol ordered months earlier by President Donald Trump. The soldiers were standing near the station entrance when a suspect suddenly approached, pulled out a gun, and fired directly at them without warning.

Both soldiers, who serve in the West Virginia National Guard, were hit several times and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Other Guard members in the area quickly reacted and exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was injured and captured on the scene.

Authorities soon identified the shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who came to the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome. This program was created during President Joe Biden’s administration to help Afghans who had supported U.S. forces during the Afghanistan war and faced danger after the Taliban took over the country. A relative told NBC News that Lakanwal had served in the Afghan army for 10 years and had worked alongside American Special Forces.

Officials said that Lakanwal had no criminal history in the United States. He applied for asylum in late 2024 and was approved earlier this year. At the time of the attack, he was reportedly living in Washington state and working for Amazon.

After the shooting, the Secret Service briefly put the White House under security lockdown as a precaution. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Trump had requested an additional 500 National Guard troops to reinforce security in the capital.

The attack also led to an immediate and heated political response. President Trump, who was in Florida, called the shooting “an act of evil, hatred, and terror” in a video message. He also said his administration would re-check all Afghan immigrants who entered the country under President Biden.

Soon after the president’s message, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it would stop processing all immigration applications related to Afghan nationals until further notice. The agency said it needed to review its security and screening procedures.

Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, saying the attack justified the administration’s strict immigration policies. He argued that the United States must be more aggressive in deporting people who he said “have no right to be here.”

Critics, however, strongly disagree. They say the Trump administration is using the tragedy to push harsh and unfair immigration actions. Many community groups and civil rights organizations argue that innocent people will suffer because of broad, sweeping decisions made without evidence.

The attack took place at a tense moment in Washington. Just five days earlier, a federal judge had ruled that National Guard troops could not perform law enforcement duties in the city without the mayor’s approval. However, the ruling was delayed so the Trump administration could appeal it. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has opposed the Guard deployment from the beginning, called the shooting a “targeted attack” and repeated her concerns about federal troops patrolling city streets.

Police officials stressed that the suspect appeared to have acted alone and that no broader threat to the public had been identified. Still, the attack has raised serious questions about security, immigration policy, and the use of military forces in U.S. cities.

The incident adds to a growing list of cities where President Trump has deployed National Guard troops, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Memphis. Local leaders in these cities accuse the administration of using the military to intimidate communities and create political pressure.

As the FBI continues its investigation, many Americans are left waiting for answers about what motivated the attacker and what larger impact this event will have on national security and immigration decisions. For now, the families of the wounded soldiers and the residents of Washington, D.C., are hoping for recovery, clarity, and calm after a violent and unsettling holiday week.