Full Breakdown
Lapses in Vetting Afghan Refugee Linked to National Guard Shooting
11/29/2025, 2:56:06 AM
Overview of the Incident
On Thanksgiving Eve 2025, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, ambushed two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., resulting in the death of Guardswoman Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and leaving Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, in critical condition. The shooting occurred just blocks from the White House, where Lakanwal opened fire with a revolver before being subdued by another Guardsman.
Background on Rahmanullah Lakanwal
Lakanwal was relocated to the United States under the Biden administration's "Operation Allies Welcome," which facilitated the entry of nearly 80,000 Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan conflict. He arrived in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children in September 2021. Lakanwal applied for asylum in December 2024 and was granted it in April 2025.
Vetting Controversies
Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stated that Lakanwal was "not vetted" before entering the U.S., attributing this lapse to the Biden administration's handling of the Afghan withdrawal. Kent criticized the administration for using inadequate vetting standards, allowing over 85,000 Afghans to enter the country with minimal scrutiny. He emphasized that Lakanwal had only been vetted for military service against the Taliban and not for his suitability to live in the U.S.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin noted that Lakanwal was "paroled in" along with many other Afghan refugees, and that he would not have been removed from the U.S. even if the Trump administration had sought to do so. The Trump administration has since halted immigration requests from Afghan nationals pending a review of security protocols.
Chad Robichaux, a former Force Recon Marine, echoed concerns about the lack of vetting for Afghan evacuees, stating that tens of thousands were flown to the U.S. without proper screening. He highlighted the risks posed by individuals who may have worked with both U.S. forces and the Taliban.
Mental Health Concerns
Following his resettlement, Lakanwal reportedly worked as a delivery driver for Amazon Flex. A friend indicated that he struggled with mental health issues stemming from his combat experiences in Afghanistan, stating that he could not tolerate the sight of blood and bodies.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the shooting, CIA Director John Ratcliffe noted that Lakanwal was brought to the U.S. due to his prior work with the U.S. government in Afghanistan. However, he acknowledged the challenges in vetting evacuees during the chaotic withdrawal.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the Biden administration have pointed to the rapid admission of Afghan refugees as a significant oversight, arguing that it compromised national security. They contend that the lack of thorough vetting processes has allowed individuals with potentially dangerous backgrounds to enter the U.S.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While some officials assert that Lakanwal was "clean on all checks" at the time of his entry, others highlight the broader issues with the vetting process during the evacuation from Afghanistan. The discrepancies in accounts raise questions about the adequacy of security measures in place for Afghan refugees.
Verbatim Quotes
- “During Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, his administration negligently used the vetting standard described above as the standard for being brought directly into the U.S., foregoing previous vetting standards applied to Special Immigrant Visas and any common sense vetting or concern for Americans,” — Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center
- “Probably close to 100,000 of them were flown straight from Kabul to the United States to different airfields, and they were let go into the American population. We have no idea who they are — zero vetting,” — Chad Robichaux, Former Force Recon Marine
- “this monster would not have been removed because of his parole,” — Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary
