Law enforcement officials have identified the suspected gunman in Wednesday’s shooting of two National Guard members near the White House as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. This incident, which has drawn sharp commentary from political leaders, raises significant questions surrounding political strategy and government policy regarding immigration in the United States.

Lakanwal entered the United States under a policy established during the Biden administration, aimed at assisting Afghan nationals after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security.

Currently in custody and recovering from non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident, Lakanwal was paroled into the U.S. through the Operation Allies Welcome program, designed to resettle vulnerable populations following two decades of conflict in Afghanistan. Earlier this year, he was granted asylum by immigration authorities.

Speaking from Palm Beach, Florida, former President Donald Trump labeled the shooting as “an act of terror” and criticized immigration policies enacted by his successor. “I can report tonight that based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan,” Trump stated in a video address.

Expressing his condolences for the victims, Trump declared, “As we are filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot, we’re also filled with righteous anger and ferocious resolve.” He emphasized the need for accountability for Lakanwal, asserting his determination to ensure that “the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price.”

Trump seized the opportunity to cast doubt on the vetting processes surrounding Afghan migrants, describing the country as “a hellhole on earth.” He claimed Lakanwal was among those flown in by the Biden administration on flights that drew significant public attention. However, Trump’s remarks did not acknowledge the extensive screening measures undertaken by U.S. military, intelligence, and immigration officials.

Concluding his address, Trump called for a reassessment of refugee and asylum status granted since his departure from office. “We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden,” he insisted, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring public safety in the realm of civic engagement and national policy.

The shooting occurred near the Farragut West metro station, leaving two National Guard members in critical condition. Their identities have not yet been released; both members hail from West Virginia. One victim is a woman and the other a man, as reported by News.

According to Jeffrey Carroll, a representative from Washington’s metropolitan police department, the suspect “came around the corner” and opened fire on the National Guard members. Eyewitnesses captured video footage of police and National Guard personnel subduing the suspect, while bystanders recorded scenes of first responders administering aid to the victims.

National Guard troops have been stationed across Washington since August, following declarations of a “crime emergency” by the Trump administration. Currently, approximately 2,375 National Guard personnel are active in the area. In response to the shooting, Trump announced plans to deploy an additional 500 Guard members to Washington.

Moreover, a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb deemed Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops likely unlawful, ordering that it must be halted. However, this ruling does not take effect until next month, and the Trump administration is appealing the decision.