Noem says National Guard shooting suspect could have been radicalized in US
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has raised concerns about the suspected shooter who targeted National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., last week, suggesting that he may have been radicalized after arriving in the United States. The alleged gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously collaborated with the CIA in Afghanistan, is accused of firing at two National Guard members, Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe.
Lakanwal sought asylum in the U.S. after the fall of Afghanistan’s government to the Taliban in 2021 and was granted asylum in April of this year under Operation Allies Welcome. Secretary Noem emphasized that the vetting process for Lakanwal was not thorough, attributing the oversight to the Biden administration’s handling of the situation.
When pressed about whether any vetting was conducted during the Trump administration, Noem explained that the information used for vetting was collected under the Biden administration, placing the responsibility squarely on them. Despite claims of inadequate vetting, others familiar with the process at the time have disputed these assertions.
ABC News contributor and former Homeland Security undersecretary for intelligence, John Cohen, highlighted that individuals resettling in the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome were subjected to comprehensive vetting procedures. These included checks against classified and unclassified intelligence, as well as the submission of biographical and biometric data. Cohen also mentioned that although there were some delays in the vetting process, individuals had their information collected at processing sites.
Furthermore, a senior U.S. official revealed that the suspect had been vetted by the National Counterterrorism Center, with no red flags raised during the review. The official also noted that the suspect’s prior involvement with the CIA during the war would have necessitated vetting by the agency at that time.
In response to criticisms from Noem and others, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen refuted claims that the Biden administration’s vetting procedures were to blame for the attack. Van Hollen emphasized the need for ongoing review of vetting processes but stressed that there was no evidence to suggest a failure in this case.
Van Hollen also condemned the Trump administration’s decision to pause all asylum decisions following the shooting, labeling it as “collective punishment” that unfairly targets individuals who risked their lives working alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan. He expressed concerns that returning these individuals to Afghanistan could result in grave danger, as the Taliban may seek retribution against them.
The incident has sparked debates about vetting procedures for asylum seekers and the complexities of ensuring national security while upholding humanitarian values. As investigations into the shooting continue, policymakers are grappling with how to strike a balance between protecting the country and providing refuge to those in need.
