An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, stands accused of a brazen attack on two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House in Washington, DC.
This incident, which unfolded on Wednesday, has drawn significant attention due to Lakanwal's past association with the CIA during his time in Afghanistan. Lakanwal, who served in the Afghan Army, collaborated with US Special Forces in the fight against the Taliban in Kandahar, a key region for American counterterrorism efforts.
As reported by The Post Millennial, Lakanwal's entry into the United States occurred in September 2021, following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan orchestrated by the Biden administration. He was admitted under Operation Allies Welcome, a federal initiative designed to resettle Afghans who had supported U.S. military and intelligence operations over the past two decades. Lakanwal eventually settled in Bellingham, Washington.
Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe criticized the administration's vetting process, stating, "The individual and so many others should have never been allowed to come here. Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden administrations catastrophic failures. God bless our brave troops."
The FBI has assumed control of the investigation, with intelligence officials suggesting the attack could be an act of international terrorism. The two Guardsmen injured in the assault remain hospitalized in critical condition. President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday night, condemning the attack as a "savage" and "monstrous ambush-style attack just steps away from the White House."
He further described it as "A heinous assault an act of evil and an act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity."
The President expressed solidarity with the wounded Guardsmen, stating, "The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard Our entire country is lifting them up in prayer. As President of the United States, I am determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price."
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, during a press conference, characterized the incident as a "targeted shooting," noting that Lakanwal appeared to have specifically targeted the Guardsmen. While Lakanwal is now in custody, federal authorities have yet to reveal a motive for the attack.
The incident raises pressing questions about the effectiveness of current immigration and vetting processes, particularly in light of the potential security risks posed by individuals with complex international backgrounds.
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