President Trump Condemns Washington DC Shooting of National Guard Members as Act of Terror, Links Suspect to Biden-Era Afghanistan Evacuation

US President Donald Trump has denounced the Washington, DC, shooting of two National Guardsmen as an act of terrorism and a crime against humanity. During a press conference, the American leader attributed blame to the previous administration under Joe Biden, stating that the suspect arrived from Afghanistan during a 2021 airlift and referred to the country as a "hellhole".

"This was a heinous assault and an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity," Trump declared.

The President confirmed that the individual taken into custody following the daylight shooting, which occurred just two blocks from the White House, was "a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan."

"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 - a hell hole on earth."

Trump proceeded to criticize his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, asserting that the suspect "was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021." He pledged that his administration would "re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan" during Biden's presidency.

"We must take all necessary measures to endure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country if they can't love our country, we don't want them," he added.

This alarming attack, which took place near a metro station during peak hours in downtown Washington, has intensified scrutiny on Trump's controversial deployment of military personnel for anti-crime initiatives across the country. Trump has stationed troops in several Democrat-governed cities, including Washington, Los Angeles, and Memphis. These deployments have sparked numerous lawsuits and protests from local officials who accuse the Republican president of pursuing authoritarian measures.

Earlier, in a social media post on X, Trump expressed support for the National Guard troops after two members were shot and ordered 500 additional National Guard personnel to the city following the incident.

Trump referred to the shooter as an "animal" and stated that he would "pay a very steep price".

"The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price," Trump wrote on social media.

"God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!" Trump added.

About Washington DC Shooting

Two West Virginia National Guard members deployed to the nation's capital were shot on Wednesday afternoon just blocks from the White House in what the mayor characterized as a targeted attack.

FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser reported that both troops were hospitalized in critical condition.

The suspected gunman was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. According to US media reports, Lakanwal is a migrant from Afghanistan who arrived in the US during the tumultuous 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.

Reports indicate that Lakanwal entered America under Operation Allies Welcome and was subsequently resettled in Bellingham, Washington.

News outlets including NBC and The Washington Post stated that law enforcement officials and sources familiar with the investigation confirmed Lakanwal had resided in Washington state after arriving in the United States. NBC reported that the FBI is investigating the attack as a possible act of terrorism.

Lakanwal reportedly sustained four gunshot wounds after attacking the National Guard members and was transported nearly naked in an ambulance.

Police have stated that he acted alone and have not disclosed a motive for the attack.