Chaos erupted near the White House on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, when two National Guard soldiers were critically wounded in what authorities describe as a targeted ambush. The shocking incident has prompted immediate security reinforcements and a major policy response from the Trump administration.
Suspect Identified as Afghan National
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the attacker as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome. This program was established during President Joe Biden's administration to resettle Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan war.
According to a Trump administration official speaking anonymously, Lakanwal had applied for asylum in December 2024 and received approval on April 23, 2025 - approximately three months after Donald Trump assumed office. The official emphasized that the suspect had no known criminal history prior to the attack.
Trump's Immediate Response and Policy Changes
President Trump, who was at his Florida resort during the incident, released a prerecorded video statement late Wednesday characterizing the shooting as "an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror." The president announced his administration would thoroughly re-examine all Afghans who entered the U.S. during Biden's presidency.
Following Trump's address, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services implemented an immediate and indefinite suspension of all immigration requests from Afghan nationals. This temporary halt will remain in effect while security and vetting protocols undergo comprehensive review.
Attack Details and Aftermath
The violent encounter occurred around 2:15 p.m. ET near the intersection of 17th and I Streets, just blocks from the White House. The two soldiers, both members of the West Virginia National Guard, were conducting a "high-visibility patrol" when the suspect emerged from around a corner and ambushed them according to Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll.
After an exchange of gunfire, additional National Guard troops managed to subdue the shooter. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that both soldiers remained in critical condition at local hospitals. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized during a briefing that "This is a targeted shooting" and officials confirmed the suspect appeared to have acted alone.
Security Reinforcement and Political Reactions
In response to the attack, President Trump ordered the deployment of 500 additional National Guard soldiers to Washington. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated these reinforcements would join approximately 2,200 troops already stationed in the city as part of the administration's immigration and crime reduction initiatives.
Vice President JD Vance took to social media platform X to comment that the shooting validated the administration's immigration approach, writing "We must redouble our efforts to deport people with no right to be in our country." Meanwhile, critics of Trump's immigration policies argued they employed harsh tactics and indiscriminately targeted immigrants, including those with clean records or legal residency status.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Chaos
The shooting unfolded near Farragut Square, a popular lunchtime destination for office workers. Witnesses described scenes of panic as pedestrians fled in multiple directions when gunshots erupted.
Mike Ryan, 55, recounted hearing gunfire while walking to buy lunch. "I ran half a block before hearing another round of shots," he said. Returning to the scene, Ryan observed two soldiers on the ground while others attempted to resuscitate one victim, and saw Guard troops pinning a man to the pavement.
Another witness, Emma McDonald, described seeing one soldier carried away on a stretcher with his head covered in blood and a compression device attached to his chest.
The National Guard presence in Washington dates back to Trump's initial deployment in August, a move that faced opposition from local officials and criticism from Democratic leaders. Troops currently stationed in the capital include contingents from the District of Columbia and several states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama.
