Trump Shares Harrowing Update After Natl Guard Troops Shot in DC

President Donald Trump delivered heartbreaking news to service members on Thanksgiving, announcing the death of U.S. Army National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia who was shot near the White House the day before the holiday. He also confirmed that U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, likewise from West Virginia, remains in critical condition and is “fighting for his life.”

The two Guardsmen were attacked just blocks from the White House in an incident that has ignited national outrage — particularly after the suspect was confirmed to be an Afghan national brought into the United States under President Joe Biden’s chaotic evacuation program.

Beckstrom’s father, Gary, shared his grief publicly.
“My baby girl has passed to glory,” he wrote on Facebook. “If I don’t talk to you don’t be offend this has been a horrible tragedy.”

According to Fox News, the suspect — Rahmanullah Lakanwal — is an Afghan migrant who entered the U.S. legally in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s hurried program to relocate Afghan nationals following the disastrous withdrawal from Kabul.

President Trump issued a forceful statement on Truth Social the day of the shooting:
“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price.”

He added:
“God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”

Later, sharing a photo of Afghan citizens packed into a U.S. military transport aircraft during Biden’s evacuation, Trump posted:
“This is part of the horrendous airlift from Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of people poured into our Country totally unvetted and unchecked. We will fix it, but will never forget what Crooked Joe Biden and his Thugs did to our Country!”

Following Beckstrom’s death, Trump announced a sweeping, immediate overhaul of U.S. immigration policy.

“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization,” he wrote.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also released a statement on X, offering condolences and vowing justice.

“Lord, grant Sarah’s family strength, healing and comfort,” he wrote.
“She led a life of patriotism, service and sacrifice, and we will not rest until we bring the hand of justice to her attacker. Her sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
“God bless America, and all of those patriots and heroes who defend Her.”

In a surprising admission, Fox News reported that Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., is now seeking additional information from the CIA after Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the suspect had worked with U.S. government agencies — including the CIA — while in Afghanistan.

“I am horrified by yesterday’s tragic shooting of two national guardsmen in Washington, DC,” Himes said in a statement. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their fellow service members in the wake of this horrendous attack. There is still much to be learned about the perpetrator and his motives. I have requested more information from the CIA following Director Ratcliffe’s announcement this morning, and I expect to briefed when Congress returns next week.”

Despite the devastating consequences now unfolding in the nation’s capital, the vast majority of Democrats supported Biden’s mass importation of migrants during his tumultuous term, a policy that conservatives argue has repeatedly endangered Americans and overwhelmed national security systems.