Two National Guardsmen were shot near the White House in Washington, DC, the United States. The two wounded are members of the West Virginia National Guard. They are in critical condition. The reason why the two National Guardsmen were shot is being investigated. US officials said they were “targeted.” US President Donald Trump condemned the incident, describing it as a “heinous attack” and “the work of Satan, an attack of hatred and a terrorist attack.” Here are the details of what exactly happened near the White House, and who the suspected attacker is:
What happened in Washington, DC?
Police said a suspected gunman opened fire on a National Guardsman at around 2:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday. The suspect was also shot during the altercation. He was later taken to a hospital for treatment. He remains in police custody. “It appears to be a one-man operation.
He was armed and launched a surprise attack on the National Guardsmen,” Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll told reporters. A CNN report said the suspect approached three National Guardsmen. The guards likely didn’t notice him until he started shooting. The gunman shot one National Guardsman, then another.
"Many of the Afghans who fled worked with US troops as interpreters, drivers or support workers. They feared they would be targeted after the Taliban came to power."
The attacker was then seen attempting to fire another round at the National Guard that had fired the first shot. At that moment, a third guard returned fire at the attacker. US President Donald Trump was not in Washington, DC at the time of the incident. He was in Florida.
Citing public safety concerns, Trump has deployed about 2,200 National Guard members to the capital, Washington, DC. Of these, 925 are from the DC National Guard. More than 1,200 National Guard members have been brought in from other states.
What is the National Guard?
The National Guard is a branch of the United States military. It operates under the command of both the governor of a state and the president of the country. National Guard members are part of the reserve forces of the United States Army and Air Force. National Guard members work on a part-time basis. They may be deployed abroad for combat or support operations.
However, the National Guard generally works within the United States to respond to various emergencies, including natural disasters. Each state and territory in the United States (including Washington, D.C.) has its own National Guard. The governor of any state or the president of the United States can order the deployment of the National Guard at any time. For this reason, the activities of the National Guard are different from the other branches of the US military.
The two National Guard members who were shot yesterday were members of the West Virginia National Guard. Last week, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., saying the president's move was likely illegal. The Trump administration has sought to overturn the court's decision since yesterday's shootings.
Where is the shooting?
The shooting took place yesterday in Farragut Square. The area is close to the White House and a busy public transportation hub, so it is often crowded and crowded with tourists. Investigators have identified the suspected shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29. US Secretary of Homeland Security Christie Noem said Rahmanullah Lakanwal arrived in the United States from Afghanistan in September 2021. He came to the United States under the ‘Operation Allies Welcome’ project.
"We now have to re-evaluate every alien that enters our country from Afghanistan. Donald Trump, US President"
In August of that year, when the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan, the Joe Biden administration, then president of the United States, brought thousands of people from Afghanistan to the United States under the “Operation Allies Welcome” program. “I can tell you tonight, based on information from the Department of Homeland Security, based on the highest level of information they have, that the suspect in their custody is a foreign national. He came to our country from Afghanistan, which is a hell on earth,” Trump said in a video message after the National Guard members were attacked.
What is Operation Allies Welcome?
Operation Allies Welcome was a US program launched in 2021. It was created to help Afghans who fled their country after the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan. Many of the Afghans who fled worked with US troops as interpreters, drivers or support workers. After the Taliban came to power, they feared they would be targeted. In addition, the country's journalists and women's rights activists were at risk of their safety.
"According to a CNN report, the suspect approached three National Guard members. The guards likely didn't notice him until he started shooting. The attacker shot first one National Guardsman, then another."
Under this project, thousands of Afghans were transferred to US military bases. They were then treated, physically examined, vaccinated and processed through immigration. According to a US Congressional estimate, about 76,000 Afghans were brought to the United States through this initiative. The project has been underway for about a year.
What next?
In response to the attacks, Trump announced plans to expand his deportation efforts. He also said that the administration would re-screen Afghans who came to the United States after the Taliban took power.
The US president added that “we now have to re-evaluate every alien who enters our country from Afghanistan.” The US Citizenship and Immigration Services said it had decided to suspend the processing of all Afghan immigration applications.
The suspension will remain in effect until the security and re-evaluation work is complete. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that 500 more National Guard troops would be deployed to Washington, D.C. to bolster security and reassure the public.
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