Donald Trump characterized the shooter as an "animal" and promised that he would "pay a high price." In his address to the nation, Trump called the attack "an act of hatred and terror." According to him, the shooter arrived in the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem clarified that he came in September 2021, after the fall of the government in Kabul, during the mass evacuation of people due to the Taliban's takeover of the city.
"We need to review [the policy regarding] every foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan during the Biden administration and take all measures to deport those who should not be here or do not contribute," Donald Trump stated.According to CNN, ABC News, and other sources, the suspect in the shooting is 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwala. It is known that he applied for asylum in 2024, and his petition was approved by the Trump administration in April 2025.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a suspension of processing all requests related to Afghan citizens indefinitely. The statement indicated that this decision was made due to the need to review security protocols. "The protection and security of our country and its citizens remain our top priority," the agency added.
In turn, the Trump administration appealed to the federal appellate court to delay the decision regarding the withdrawal of the National Guard from Washington, which was issued last week. The court deemed the placement of the National Guard illegal but allowed the administration time to appeal.
The injured National Guardsmen are in critical condition (initially, it was reported that both had died). According to ABC News, one of the injured is a woman, and the other is a man; they were taken to local medical facilities. The shooter, according to Trump, also sustained serious injuries. The motives for his actions remain unknown.
