Two members of the West Virginia National Guard are in critical condition following a shooting described by authorities as a targeted attack in close proximity to the White House. A suspect is now in custody.
Federal law enforcement sources, citing ongoing investigations, have identified the individual as a 29-year-old man from Afghanistan who reportedly entered the United States in the autumn of 2021 and had been residing in Washington state.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, a significant increase in military presence was ordered for the capital. The Secretary of Defense confirmed a directive to deploy an additional 500 National Guard personnel to Washington, D.C., characterizing the attack as an intolerable act occurring just blocks from the executive mansion. This deployment order follows recent legal disputes over the authority to station guardsmen in the city.
In a public statement, the President labeled the shooting a terrorist act and connected the suspect to immigration processes under the previous administration. The remarks included a call for a comprehensive review of admissions from Afghanistan during that period and a broader pledge to remove individuals deemed not to benefit the nation.
The incident occurred near a downtown metro station against the backdrop of an ongoing and debated military deployment in the capital. Officials confirmed at a press briefing that the wounded guardsmen are receiving urgent medical care.
Separately, a major legal case in Georgia involving allegations of election interference has been formally dismissed by a superior court judge. The state prosecutor who recently assumed responsibility for the case confirmed the termination, offering no further commentary on the decision.
A leaked audio recording has sparked anger among some lawmakers. The recording allegedly captures a U.S. special envoy advising Russian officials on managing relations with the current American leadership. At least one congressional representative has demanded the envoy’s immediate removal, accusing him of favoring Russian interests over Ukrainian sovereignty, though many officials have not publicly addressed the leak.
In other developments, the President engaged in a personal critique of a journalist following a report on his stamina, using social media to dispute the characterization and insult the reporter’s appearance. This follows similar remarks directed at another female journalist last week.
On the foreign policy front, a stark warning has been issued to the leader of Venezuela, presenting a choice between cooperation and confrontation as the South American country mobilizes its supporters in response to increased U.S. pressure.
Domestic policy shifts include an announcement to terminate humanitarian protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitian migrants next February, ending their temporary permission to reside in the United States.
Additionally, the administration is taking steps to revoke a recently established stringent air quality standard for fine particulate matter, commonly known as soot. The argument presented is that the prior administration overstepped its legal authority in implementing the stricter rule on industrial and vehicle emissions.