Two National Guard Members Shot Near White House: Trump Calls Incident ‘Act Of Terror’
A major security scare unfolded near the White House on Wednesday after two National Guard members were shot just two blocks away from the presidential complex.
Both troops have been hospitalised and remain in critical condition, according to FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The mayor described the incident as a “targeted shooting.”
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also shot during the confrontation but is expected to survive.
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Officials say Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program, which brought tens of thousands of Afghans to the US after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Authorities are still confirming his background and possible motive.
Police say the incident happened near a metro station northwest of the White House. According to investigators, the suspect “came around the corner” and suddenly opened fire on the National Guard members.
Other troops nearby heard the gunfire, rushed in, and were able to hold down the shooter after he was hit.
Following the attack, the Trump administration deployed 500 additional National Guard members to Washington. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the rapid deployment as part of heightened security measures across the capital.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 26, 2025
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as an “act of terror” and called it a “heinous assault.” He said lax migration policies were the “single greatest national security threat” facing the United States and announced that his administration would reexamine every Afghan national who entered the country.
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Shortly after the shooting, USCIS halted all immigration visa processing for Afghan nationals, pending a full review.
Former President Barack Obama also responded, saying, “Violence has no place in America,” and offered prayers for the injured service members and their families.
Authorities say there are no other suspects at this time. The investigation is ongoing, with federal agencies reviewing security footage and gathering more details about the shooter’s history and possible intentions.
(With inputs from agencies)
