Picture courtesy of Yahoo
 

The US has halted processing Afghan immigration requests after the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The suspension comes as an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakamal, was identified as the suspect in the attack, which left the soldiers critically injured. The suspension will allow a review of security protocols, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

 

The suspect, Lakamal, entered the US in September 2021, under Operation Allies Welcome, a program launched following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. He applied for asylum in 2024, with his application approved earlier this year. President Donald Trump condemned the attack as an "act of terror," prompting a reevaluation of all Afghan immigrants admitted under the previous administration.

 

The incident occurred near Farragut Square Metro Station, with the National Guard on patrol. According to police, Lakamal unexpectedly opened fire, leading to intervention from nearby National Guard members who subdued him until law enforcement arrived. Lakamal was shot four times in the confrontation.

 

Following the attack, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of 500 additional National Guard members to Washington, D.C. This incident highlights ongoing security concerns and has intensified debate over immigration and security policies, with Trump previously imposing travel bans on several countries, including Afghanistan.

 

Looking ahead, the US administration plans to reassess security measures for immigrants entering the country. With National Guard forces increased in the capital, there is a focus on maintaining public safety. The recent mobilisation of troops reflects broader efforts to control crime in urban areas, though these actions have faced criticism and legal challenges, according to the BBC.

 

 

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• President Trump calls for re-evaluating Afghan immigrants after shooting.
• The attacker, Rahmanullah Lakamal, arrived in the US in 2021.
• Increased National Guard presence ordered in Washington DC.

Related Story: 

Two National Guard Members Shot Near White House: Officials

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-11-27

 

 

 

Quell surprise.

How did he get a gun? 

Oh. Anyone can get a gun?

Maybe Trump should deport all people in the USA involved in shootings - can start with MAGA members.

Good move.

 

I'd ban immigration from all these problematic countries immediately. 

This is just one additional area where Trump is showing tremendous disrespect to the Armed Forces. Tens of thousands of Afghans aided us during the 20-year war, and we promised them an exit strategy.

 

One man is accountable for the attack, but to penalize thousands upon thousands for the actions of one blazing idiot is so typical of Trump. It's such a reactionary and spectacularly ignorant action on his part. It would appear that Trump is again distracting from the real issues that are plaguing America right now, and fortunately it's not working anymore. His playbook is stale, his lack of creativity is stunning, and his popularity is in the toilet. 

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is just one additional area where Trump is showing tremendous disrespect to the Armed Forces. Tens of thousands of Afghans aided us during the 20-year war, and we promised them an exit strategy.

 

One man is accountable for the attack, but to penalize thousands upon thousands for the actions of one blazing idiot is so typical of Trump. It's such a reactionary and spectacularly ignorant action on his part. It would appear that Trump is again distracting from the real issues that are plaguing America right now, and fortunately it's not working anymore. His playbook is stale, his lack of creativity is stunning, and his popularity is in the toilet. 

 

It’s a temporary processing pause, not a ban or revocation. Existing green cards, asylum grants, and SIV exemptions are untouched.

The shooter entered in 2021 under Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum this year (2025) under the Trump administration — so the vetting failure spans both administrations.

The pause is specifically to re-examine security protocols after an Afghan parolee with no prior record carried out a deadly attack.

It does not punish allies; it aims to protect the program’s credibility so the U.S. can keep honoring its promises without repeating preventable tragedies.

This isn’t collective punishment or “disrespect to the troops.” It’s the exact opposite: trying to prevent the next betrayal of both American citizens and the Afghan partners we still owe.

17 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

 

It’s a temporary processing pause, not a ban or revocation. Existing green cards, asylum grants, and SIV exemptions are untouched.

The shooter entered in 2021 under Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum this year (2025) under the Trump administration — so the vetting failure spans both administrations.

The pause is specifically to re-examine security protocols after an Afghan parolee with no prior record carried out a deadly attack.

It does not punish allies; it aims to protect the program’s credibility so the U.S. can keep honoring its promises without repeating preventable tragedies.

This isn’t collective punishment or “disrespect to the troops.” It’s the exact opposite: trying to prevent the next betrayal of both American citizens and the Afghan partners we still owe.

Agree but shouldn't the motive be established before whipping up the whole system and have people running all over the place to follow the President orders. There are reports that FBI concludes that the gunman's motive is unrelated to past affliiations and is isolated and random. 

36 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Agree but shouldn't the motive be established before whipping up the whole system and have people running all over the place to follow the President orders. There are reports that FBI concludes that the gunman's motive is unrelated to past affliiations and is isolated and random. 

This could be another one of Trump's illegal actions, and perhaps the associated departments should follow Mark Kelly's advice, and ignore illegal and ignorant orders. 

A post with discriminating racist comments has been reported and removed.

 

 

1 hour ago, mikeymike100 said:

 

It’s a temporary processing pause, not a ban or revocation. Existing green cards, asylum grants, and SIV exemptions are untouched.

 

Nor really as ICE is deporting loads of them.

 

More interesting is to find out WHY he turned against the USA: What were the Afghan "Zero Units" the D.C. shooting suspect reportedly worked for?

I can't recall,,, maybe someone else can... were Saudis banned after twin towers were hit back in 2001? they were the main culprits in that far more serious attack....

After seeing the horrors of the American war on Afghanistan, it would not surprise me if seeing military uniforms on the streets of American triggered (no pun intended) this brainwashed CIA dude. Yanks decimated his country and, by some standards, he was a traitor, working for the enemy. He was lucky, the US usually bails and leaves its locals to face he music, as in Vietnam. PTSD is also a good bet. RIP, NGs but they should have refused those illegal orders to lock down American cities. Think about how it would feel to live in a place patrolled by soldiers.

9 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

 Think about how it would feel to live in a place patrolled by soldiers.

That is what dictators (or wannabees) do.

 

Maybe need to ban people from Venezuela in the future too: Trump says the U.S. will 'very soon' take action on land to stop alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers

 

Oil to be found there.

2 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

After seeing the horrors of the American war on Afghanistan, it would not surprise me if seeing military uniforms on the streets of American triggered (no pun intended) this brainwashed CIA dude. Yanks decimated his country and, by some standards, he was a traitor, working for the enemy. He was lucky, the US usually bails and leaves its locals to face he music, as in Vietnam. PTSD is also a good bet. RIP, NGs but they should have refused those illegal orders to lock down American cities. Think about how it would feel to live in a place patrolled by soldiers.

When were you Afghabistan? I was there in 2005-2006 and 2010.  Lots of Afghans worked for all the allied forces that were in A-stan.  We hired hundreds of translators and local fixers. Not all were promised an "exit" when things hit the fan.  Most of the translators we hired at a unit level were mostly worthless and could not be trusted. Those Afghans who were thoroughly vetted and fully qualified for the jobs they held were also never guarnateed any kind of an "exit". For example an Afghan doctor was the primary translator for the commanding genaral of CSTC-A (Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan).  i beleive this person find his way out and settled somewhere in Virginia with his wife and kids.  Yes he had help from important people because he worked day in and out with a 2 star.   Many were assisted in leaving long before August 2021.  Yes there was combat, death and severe injuries during the 20 years that America and it's allies were in A-stan but doubt this particular guy can use PTSD as a defense or an excuse for murder. 

 

So again just to confimr you were in Afghanista and saw the "horror"? I was in Kabul, Kandhahar, Helmond, Jalabad and Gardez. 

25 minutes ago, Emdog said:

I can't recall,,, maybe someone else can... were Saudis banned after twin towers were hit back in 2001? they were the main culprits in that far more serious attack....

Well it's been the M.O. of the US to always avoid going after the true culprits, in the case of Bush Jr and Cheney they just simply needed a scapegoat and Iraq was convenient, the Afghan war was far more Justified but it was still a two decade mess that likely cost trillions. Not to mention hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties between the two Wars and an outcome similar to Vietnam. 

 

I think it must be acknowledged that the US no longer knows how to win a war, if you don't take into account Panama and Grenada we haven't won a war since World War II. For that reason alone we should avoid getting into any future conflicts like the bubonic plague. 

11 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

When were you Afghabistan? I was there in 2005-2006 and 2010.  Lots of Afghans worked for all the allied forces that were in A-stan.  We hired hundreds of translators and local fixers. Not all were promised an "exit" when things hit the fan.  Most of the translators we hired at a unit level were mostly worthless and could not be trusted. Those Afghans who were thoroughly vetted and fully qualified for the jobs they held were also never guarnateed any kind of an "exit". For example an Afghan doctor was the primary translator for the commanding genaral of CSTC-A (Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan).  i beleive this person find his way out and settled somewhere in Virginia with his wife and kids.  Yes he had help from important people because he worked day in and out with a 2 star.   Many were assisted in leaving long before August 2021.  Yes there was combat, death and severe injuries during the 20 years that America and it's allies were in A-stan but doubt this particular guy can use PTSD as a defense or an excuse for murder. 

 

So again just to confimr you were in Afghanista and saw the "horror"? I was in Kabul, Kandhahar, Helmond, Jalabad and Gardez. 

You might have been in Afghanistan but this guy wasn't a translator: What were the Afghan "Zero Units" the D.C. shooting suspect reportedly worked for?

29 minutes ago, Emdog said:

I can't recall,,, maybe someone else can... were Saudis banned after twin towers were hit back in 2001? they were the main culprits in that far more serious attack....

The Saudi's have always been a special case. "we need them more than they need us".  1) Saudi's own some the 37 Trillion debt 2) Saudi Arabia buys a lot of American military equipment 3) Saudi airlines have been more loyal to Boeing than Airbus 3) Riyadh Air (the newest airline in Saudi Arabia) recently ordered 72 Boeing aircraft 4) There is a company called Vinnelll Arabia which has been around for decades.  It is based in Virgnia but has sent 1000's of retired or former US Military members to consult and advise the Saudi military for many years.   Saudi has always meand $$$.  No pun intended but "$$$ Trumps just about everything else".  Just look at the reception MBS got at the White House.  He was treated like rock star.  

3 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You might have been in Afghanistan but this guy wasn't a translator: What were the Afghan "Zero Units" the D.C. shooting suspect reportedly worked for?

I never said he was a translator. But translator was the most common job Afghans held for American and allied forces. Also, many Afghans were hired by all the foreign embassies. jobs such drivers, local fixers, cooks, security guards, clerks, etc.  No way all can be guranateed an "exit". 

3 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

I never said he was a translator. 

Did say this though: "doubt this particular guy can use PTSD as a defense or an excuse for murder."

Which in his case could be an issue.

3 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Existing green cards, asylum grants, and SIV exemptions are untouched.

That didn't age well.

58 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Did say this though: "doubt this particular guy can use PTSD as a defense or an excuse for murder."

Which in his case could be an issue.

When was he was diagnosed with PTSD? Lot of Afghans claimed they worked with Americans and other allied forces and very few can actually prove it.  Also what exactly is mean by "work with the CIA"? Record keeping was very lacking in Afghanistan.  The nature of Afghanistan was many could not even when or where they were born. We had to take their word or in some cases the Iman at the mosque would vouch them. In the end the words of an Afghan imam in most cases was worthless. I always carefully watched all the Afghans that my unit employed.  

25 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

When was he was diagnosed with PTSD? Lot of Afghans claimed they worked with Americans and other allied forces and very few can actually prove it.  Also what exactly is mean by "work with the CIA"? Record keeping was very lacking in Afghanistan.  The nature of Afghanistan was many could not even when or where they were born. We had to take their word or in some cases the Iman at the mosque would vouch them. In the end the words of an Afghan imam in most cases was worthless. I always carefully watched all the Afghans that my unit employed.  

I didn't say he suffered from it but it could be a possibility.

If you read the link I provided earlier, you would know he fought for a unit under direction of the CIA.

Your personal experience with Afghan people has nothing to do with it.

More info here:

 

"CIA director John Ratcliffe revealed that Lakanwal had direct links to the intelligence agency from his work alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan, where he served as an elite commander. "

 

Trump plunged into security scandal over Afghan shooter's asylum - after president blamed Biden

38 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

I didn't say he suffered from it but it could be a possibility.

If you read the link I provided earlier, you would know he fought for a unit under direction of the CIA.

Your personal experience with Afghan people has nothing to do with it.

Did the CIA confirm any of what has been reported???  CIA is not known for publicly confirming who they employed in Afghanistan.  This would go against the mission of the agency. Realistically this guy probably did not "fight" for the CIA.  They have contractors for that type of mission. This guy could have been an armed guard for a CIA or CiA contracted facility. 

22 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

Did the CIA confirm any of what has been reported???  CIA is not known for publicly confirming who they employed in Afghanistan.  This would go against the mission of the agency. Realistically this guy probably did not "fight" for the CIA.  They have contractors for that type of mission. This guy could have been an armed guard for a CIA or CiA contracted facility. 

For you one more time:

"CIA director John Ratcliffe revealed that Lakanwal had direct links to the intelligence agency from his work alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan, where he served as an elite commander. "

 

Trump plunged into security scandal over Afghan shooter's asylum - after president blamed Biden

 

He was part of a death squad: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/national-guard-shooters-mental-problems-rooted-cia-death-squad-past-longtime-pal-shares-1758607

5 hours ago, Emdog said:

I can't recall,,, maybe someone else can... were Saudis banned after twin towers were hit back in 2001? they were the main culprits in that far more serious attack....

No. And they have been welcomed ever since even though it is quite well known that the regime continues to support terrorism in many forms. They have a lot of oil and a lot of money and therefore they're a friend of the West regardless of how much they hate us. 

 

Iraq was a convenient pretense and lie to avoid invading Saudi Arabia or Pakistan. 

2 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

For you one more time:

"CIA director John Ratcliffe revealed that Lakanwal had direct links to the intelligence agency from his work alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan, where he served as an elite commander. "

 

Trump plunged into security scandal over Afghan shooter's asylum - after president blamed Biden

 

He was part of a death squad: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/national-guard-shooters-mental-problems-rooted-cia-death-squad-past-longtime-pal-shares-1758607

"direct links" can mean many things. Sohe was an "elite commander" He was with ANA-Afghan National Army? Or was he part of a local militia?  Encountered some of those types and never trusted them.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This could be another one of Trump's illegal actions, and perhaps the associated departments should follow Mark Kelly's advice, and ignore illegal and ignorant orders. 

 

No, this is not an “illegal Trump action.”

The existing D.C. National Guard deployment is under a court stay (still legal until at least Dec 11 or appeal resolves).

Adding 500 more troops after a deadly ambush two blocks from the White House falls squarely within the President’s Title 10 authority over the D.C. Guard and emergency national-security powers.

 

Mark Kelly’s video was about hypothetical deportations and Posse Comitatus, not this terrorist-style attack on uniformed troops. Telling troops or agencies to ignore lawful orders after an American soldier has just been murdered is not principled resistance; it’s dangerous partisan grandstanding.

 

The order is legal, the threat is real, and the response is proportionate.

Ask yourself if the shooter had been a white Swede would Trump have reacted the same way?

'Nuff said.