Two members of the National Guard were shot near the White House in daylight yesterday. The victims, aged 20 and 24, had recently taken their oaths. As the troops fought for their lives in the hospital, attention turned to the alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national residing in Washington State. Lakanwal, who had previously worked with the CIA, was labeled an “animal” by Donald Trump, who criticized Afghan refugees and Somali immigrants in Minnesota, unrelated to the incident.
In response to the shooting in Washington DC, Trump criticized Afghan refugees, Joe Biden, and Somali immigrants in a heated speech. He highlighted that Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was brought into the US under Operation Allies Welcome post the Kabul fall in 2021. Trump blamed the Biden administration for allowing Lakanwal into the country, calling Biden’s presidency disastrous.
Trump falsely claimed that 20 million unvetted foreigners entered the US during Biden’s term, emphasizing the need to review all aliens from Afghanistan. He announced the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops, adding to the existing presence in DC.
Despite Lakanwal’s arrival under Biden, it was clarified that he was granted asylum by the Trump administration in 2024. The FBI Director deferred questions about the asylum timeline to the Department of Homeland Security. Trump’s decision to ban South Africa from the G20 summit further escalated tensions, following his absence from a recent summit hosted by South Africa.
During a speech at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Vice President JD Vance controversially downplayed the appeal of turkey on Thanksgiving, preferring chicken. He also emphasized the importance of critical thinking in the military. The White House engaged in a dispute with veteran members of Congress over compliance with orders.
