The USCIS reported this shortly after a call from President Donald Trump to re-examine Afghan immigrants who entered the country during the administration of former President Joe Biden. Trump’s call was prompted by the shooting on Wednesday of two members of the National Guard in Washington, which he called “an act of terror.”
Trump confirmed earlier reports that the suspect is an Afghan who came to the US in 2021. The man is said to have served in the Afghan army and worked with American soldiers in the ten years before he came to the US, NBC News reports based on interviews with family members and officials. It concerns 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
Two members of the US National Guard were shot near the White House. Initially, the governor of the state of West Virginia, from which the two guardsmen come, had reported that they had died. Later, the governor said he received conflicting reports about the condition of the two. According to the FBI, they are in critical condition after the attack.
Trump not in White House during shooting
US President Donald Trump was not in the White House but in Florida during the incident. The motive for the shooting is still unknown. According to a CBS reporter, based on insiders, it was an ambush attack.
Trump is sending the National Guard to cities where he believes there is too much crime. The stakes are controversial.
National Guard members seriously injured
According to Trump, the two guards had been admitted to hospitals with serious injuries. The arrested suspected shooter was also seriously injured. Trump calls him on his mouthpiece Truth Social an “animal” who will “anyway” pay a very high price for his action.
Shots were reportedly fired at the entrance to the Farragut West Metro Station in the US capital.
President Trump sent more than 2,200 National Guard troops to Washington DC in August to assist local police in tackling crime in the capital after declaring a state of emergency.