Afghan Shooting Suspect May Have Been Radicalized in the US

The Afghan suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., may have been radicalized after arriving in the United States, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In multiple interviews, Noem provided insights into the motives of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old man facing a first-degree murder charge stemming from the incident on November 26. This attack resulted in the death of a 20-year-old guardsman and left another critically injured.

Noem stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that officials believe Lakanwal was radicalized during his time in the US. She indicated that his connections to his home community may have played a role in this process. “We do believe it was through connections in his home community and state, and we’re going to continue to talk to those who interacted with him,” Noem said during an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”

Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 as part of a significant airlift operation orchestrated by the Biden administration during the withdrawal of US troops and the subsequent return of the Taliban to power. Following his arrival, Lakanwal settled in the western state of Washington and is alleged to have driven across the country to carry out the shooting just blocks from the White House—a shocking act occurring just before the Thanksgiving holiday.

The incident has led to renewed scrutiny of the vetting process for Afghan nationals seeking asylum in the United States. Officials from the Trump administration, who reportedly granted Lakanwal US asylum in April 2025, have criticized the Biden administration’s approach to vetting during the Afghan airlift. In a statement on his Truth Social platform, former President Donald Trump accused the current administration of negligence regarding border security. “Crooked Joe Biden, Mayorkas, and so-called ‘Border Czar’ Kamala Harris really screwed our Country by letting anyone and everyone come in totally unchecked and unvetted!” Trump asserted.

Before migrating to the US, Lakanwal served in a CIA-backed Afghan unit fighting against the Taliban, raising further concerns about his background and motivations. In light of the shooting, US government officials have halted visa processing for all Afghan nationals and frozen decisions on asylum cases.

The ramifications of this incident extend beyond the immediate tragedy. It has prompted discussions on national security, immigration policies, and the complexities surrounding the resettlement of Afghan allies in the United States. As investigations continue, officials are likely to delve deeper into Lakanwal’s connections and the factors that contributed to his alleged radicalization.