Near the White House, on November 26th, an allegedly targeted shooting occurred, resulting in the death of a National Guard member and severe injuries to a second Guard member. The shooting took place during midday close to Farragut Square in downtown D.C., where the soldiers were on patrol. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, “immediately started firing” without being provoked, according to Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll. As the attack happened just a few blocks away from the White House, emergency services were quick to aid the victims and capture the shooter.

Lakanwal, originally from Afghanistan, came to the United States through a Biden Administration effort called “Operation Allies Welcome”, and had applied for asylum that was approved in 2025. He faces charges such as first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and other crimes such as “transporting a firearm in interstate commerce with the intent to commit an offense,” according to the Department of Justice. As of now, authorities have not identified a clear motive for the attack.

As a result of the shooting, the Trump Administration requested more troops deployed to Washington, D.C., and while emphasizing the suspect’s background, implemented additional measures relating to immigration and asylum from Afghanistan and other countries, going as far as halting visas “indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” As for Andrew Wolfe, the injured National Guard member, it is reported that he is recovering steadily.