A call for a sweeping review of the status of Afghan refugees has been issued by the President following a shooting in Washington, D.C., that left two National Guard members critically wounded. The suspect, now in custody, is reported to be an Afghan national who was granted asylum in the United States earlier this year.
The incident occurred near a metro station in the city’s downtown core, not far from the White House. Law enforcement officials stated the individual approached the guardsmen and opened fire. The suspect was also shot during the encounter and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
In remarks delivered Wednesday, the President labeled the shooting an act of terror and directly linked it to immigration policies enacted after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. He announced an immediate and indefinite suspension of processing for all immigration requests from Afghan nationals and vowed that the perpetrator would face severe consequences.
The speech sharply criticized the previous administration’s handling of refugee admissions, alleging insufficient vetting of individuals from what was described as a failed state. It concluded with a directive for federal agencies to re-examine the cases of all Afghan nationals admitted under the specific post-withdrawal program and to remove any individuals deemed not to belong in the country.
The two wounded guardsmen, whose identities have not been officially released, were reported to be in critical condition. Video from the scene circulated online, appearing to show law enforcement and Guard personnel detaining the suspect and providing emergency aid to a victim.
National Guard troops have been deployed in the capital since last summer under a federal order intended to address crime. A recent judicial ruling found that deployment likely unlawful, but the order is under appeal and not yet in effect. Following the shooting, an additional 500 Guard members were reportedly directed to the city.