In the wake of the tragic shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., the identity of the suspect as an Afghan national has sparked a flurry of questions.
These inquiries revolve around the suspect's motives, the circumstances of his entry into the U.S., and the extent of his vetting process, if any.
According to RedState, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared on NBC's Meet the Press with Kristen Welker on Sunday to discuss the shooting, the suspect, and the asylum program at large. Welker initiated the conversation by seeking an update on the investigation into the suspect and his motives.
Secretary Noem revealed that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome during the Biden administration. She described the administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan as disastrous, a sentiment shared by many conservatives who believe in a strong and assertive foreign policy.
Noem emphasized that every available resource would be utilized to bring Lakanwal to justice for his actions, which have caused immense suffering to the victims' families and the nation at large.
"We know that this individual came into the country under Operation Allies Welcome, and during the Biden administration, and that disastrous withdrawal that we all watched unfold in 2021," Noem said. "We're going to use every tool at our disposal to bring him to justice, and make him pay for what he has done not just to America, but how he's devastated these families and taken the life of one of our soldiers, and devastatingly injured another one."
In response to Welker's follow-up question about the suspect's motives and whether he acted alone, Noem shared a significant revelation. Authorities believe that the suspect was radicalized after his arrival in the U.S., a concern that underscores the importance of thorough vetting processes for asylum seekers.
"We believe he was radicalized since he has been here in this country. We do believe it was through connections in his home community and state," Noem said. "We absolutely will persecute you, because we do know that we will never allow this to continue to happen in our country, allow individuals who came to our country that were unvetted by Joe Biden, allowed to run free and loose."
The conversation then shifted to the suspect's asylum status. Lakanwal was granted asylum in April of this year, but Noem stressed that the critical vetting process should occur when individuals enter the country. She pointed out that this process was abandoned during the Biden administration, a move she believes has put the country in a precarious position.
"[Biden] was allowing our country to be infiltrated with people that we didn't know who they were," Noem said. "We could have up to 100,000 people that came in from Afghanistan that may be here to do us harm and President Trump is absolutely dedicated to getting them out."
Addressing the broader issue of asylum, Welker asked how the administration plans to handle pending asylum claims. Noem confirmed that they would deport individuals with pending asylum claims if necessary. She emphasized the need for a thorough review of each case to ensure that those granted asylum are not involved in dangerous criminal activity.
"We will if they should be, absolutely. Yes. We are going to go through every single person that has a pending asylum claim," Noem said. "And that they're not here being radicalized, and perpetuating dangerous criminal activity against our Americans."
The full interview provides a comprehensive overview of the administration's stance on the asylum program and the steps being taken to ensure national security. The tragic shooting of the National Guard members serves as a stark reminder of the importance of a robust and thorough vetting process for asylum seekers, a sentiment echoed by many conservatives who prioritize national security and law and order.
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