A violent shooting steps away from the White House has left two West Virginia National Guard soldiers in critical condition, prompting a sweeping emergency response from the Trump administration and a federal domestic-terrorism investigation.

The Attack Near the White House

The incident occurred on November 26, 2025, near the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW, close to the White House perimeter. According to initial reports, the two Guardsmen were conducting high-visibility patrol duties when the suspect approached and opened fire at close range.

Other National Guard personnel on duty returned fire, subduing the attacker. A handgun was recovered at the scene, and the suspect was taken into federal custody. Eyewitnesses described chaos and panic as pedestrians scattered amid the sound of gunshots in one of the most heavily monitored areas of the U.S. capital.

Suspect Identified: Afghan Refugee from Operation Allies Welcome

Authorities identified the gunman as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. Preliminary immigration records indicate he entered the United States in 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the evacuation program following the withdrawal from Afghanistan. His asylum application was reportedly approved earlier in 2025.

Investigators are analyzing possible ideological or political motives. Officials have described the assault as a “targeted attack,” though no formal terror organization links have been publicly confirmed.

Immediate Political Shockwaves

President Donald Trump condemned the shooting, calling it an “act of terror” and a “crime against humanity.” He blamed the previous administration for allowing the suspect’s entry, characterizing Afghanistan as a “failed state” exporting instability.

Within hours of the incident, the administration announced three major measures:

• Immigration Freeze: All immigration processing involving Afghan nationals has been halted indefinitely.
• Security Reinforcement: An additional 500 National Guard troops will be deployed to Washington, D.C.
• Investigative Expansion: Federal agencies will conduct a comprehensive review of the Afghan refugee resettlement program.

The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and D.C. authorities are jointly investigating the case as a potential domestic terror attack.

Victim Condition and Ongoing Probe

The two wounded National Guard personnel remain in critical condition. Medical teams report severe trauma, underscoring the force of the close-range attack. Their identities have not been publicly released pending family notifications.

Federal investigators are reconstructing the suspect’s movements, communications, and associations. Officials are examining whether he acted alone or had ties to extremist networks, sleeper cells, or radicalized communities.

National Security vs. Immigration Policy

The attack arrives at a moment of heightened domestic security tension. A series of violent incidents this year — including vehicle assaults and mass stabbings in multiple states — has fueled debates over immigration, vetting standards, and counter-terrorism preparedness.

The White House’s immigration freeze has provoked immediate reactions. Security hawks argue the suspension is necessary to prevent further violence, while human-rights groups warn that blanket restrictions punish tens of thousands of vetted Afghan refugees who assisted U.S. forces.

What Comes Next

With the investigation ongoing, several critical unknowns remain: the suspect’s full motive, potential ideological influences, and whether background checks failed to detect warning signs. Policy analysts warn that this single event could reshape national immigration priorities for years, impacting refugee resettlement, asylum standards, and cross-border humanitarian programs.

For now, the atmosphere in the nation’s capital remains tense, as authorities work to determine whether this attack represents a lone radical actor or a deeper emerging threat to U.S. homeland security.