House Unanimously Honors National Guard Members Attacked Near White House
The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved a resolution honoring two National Guard service members who were shot in Washington, D.C., late last month, a rare display of unity in an otherwise divided Congress. The resolution passed by voice vote, with no recorded opposition.
U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were attacked just blocks from the White House in what federal authorities are investigating as a possible terror-related incident. Beckstrom later died from her injuries, while Wolfe spent several days in critical condition before doctors stabilized him. He is expected to face a long recovery after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
Law enforcement officials have identified the alleged shooter as an Afghan refugee who entered the United States under Operation Allies Welcome during the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul in 2021, ordered by then-President Joe Biden.
The resolution, introduced by West Virginia Republican Reps. Carol Miller and Riley Moore, drew strong bipartisan support. Fox News reported that the floor debate reflected a moment of rare consensus, with lawmakers from both parties honoring the fallen and wounded troops.
“As members of the West Virginia National Guard on duty in the nation’s capital, Spc. Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Wolfe were targeted and violently assaulted with a barrage of gunfire for doing nothing less than performing their duty as a soldier and an airman,” Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., said on Monday.
“Both of them sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack. Sadly, Spc. Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries and passed away surrounded by loved ones on Thanksgiving Day. While Staff Sgt. Wolfe remains in recovery, and we wish him speedy success in that effort to be back on his feet.”
Democrats also spoke in support of the measure. Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, said Beckstrom’s “life was far too short, but her example will endure.”
“Spc. Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Wolfe represent the very best of our nation. Young Americans driven by service, compassion, and a sense of duty. Their willingness to step forward to serve their communities and their country reflects the highest ideals of military and public service,” Tokuda said.
Miller described the shooting as “a targeted assault against United States service members,” while Moore shared a more personal reflection after attending Beckstrom’s funeral in Grafton, West Virginia.
“Watching her father just grieve in that manner is just unimaginable. It really puts you at a loss for words,” Moore said.
The attack has intensified pressure on the Trump administration to further tighten immigration controls. President Donald Trump, currently serving his second term, has made border security and national sovereignty central pillars of his agenda.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she is preparing to recommend expanded travel restrictions following the deadly shooting. In a social media post last week, Noem said she met with President Donald Trump and agreed to propose “a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”
President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security shared Noem’s remarks on their official social media accounts. While the administration has not yet released a final list of affected countries, DHS told the BBC that details would be announced soon.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Monday night that President Trump had already implemented a travel ban months earlier targeting what the administration described as “third world and failed state” countries. She said Noem’s latest recommendations would significantly expand that policy.
On June 4, the White House published a list of 19 countries—primarily located in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean—subject to full or partial immigration restrictions. With Noem’s proposed additions, that number could grow to approximately 30 countries.