President Donald Trump condemned the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard soldiers near the White House, calling it a “heinous assault” and “an act of terror.” He ordered the Pentagon to deploy an additional 500 troops to Washington, DC, as security agencies locked down the area and launched a full-scale response. The soldiers were ambushed on Wednesday afternoon just blocks from the White House while Trump was at Mar-a-Lago for Thanksgiving.
In a video address, Trump described the attack as a “monstrous ambush-style” shooting that took place “at point-blank range,” calling it an act of hatred and a crime against the nation. He said the attack darkened the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday and vowed accountability for those responsible.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was taken into custody after being wounded during an exchange of gunfire. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, reportedly arrived in the United States in 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
