JD Vance has stepped firmly into the national debate after the shocking shooting near the White House, and he is making it clear who he believes is responsible. Two National Guard soldiers were attacked in broad daylight by an Afghan national, and instead of treating it as an isolated crime, Vance is tying it directly to the Biden administration’s immigration decisions from several years ago.
The incident happened only a few blocks away from one of the most heavily protected areas in the country. The guardsmen were on duty when the shooter suddenly came around a corner and opened fire, giving them almost no time to react. Both soldiers collapsed on the pavement, bleeding heavily as people nearby screamed and ran for safety. Emergency responders arrived within minutes and rushed the injured men to the hospital, where doctors confirmed they were in critical condition.
Soon after the attack, the Department of Homeland Security released the name of the suspect: Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan man who had been living in the United States for several years. His name immediately triggered political reactions because of how he entered the country. According to DHS records, Lakanwal first arrived in September 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the massive program that brought tens of thousands of Afghans into the U.S. after the fall of Kabul.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem reacted strongly, calling the shooting the result of a rushed and careless vetting process. She argued that Lakanwal was “one of the many unvetted individuals” who were brought into the country without proper background checks. Her statement quickly spread online and added fuel to the political firestorm.
JD Vance, who has always been outspoken on immigration issues, went even further. He reminded the public that back in 2021 he had warned against opening America’s doors to Afghan refugees without strictly checking who they were. He posted on social media that his warnings were ignored and that he was even called “racist” by people close to him for speaking out. But after this violent attack, he said the doubts people had about him back then only made him more convinced he had been right.
He insisted that the tragedy near the White House was not just a random crime but a direct result of government decisions that allowed thousands of people into the country without knowing enough about them. “They shouldn’t have been in our country,” he wrote, saying the U.S. had taken unnecessary risks out of political pressure and emotional reactions.
However, the situation became more complicated when officials revealed another important detail. A DHS source told CBS that Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024 and that his asylum approval came in 2025 under the Trump administration—not under Biden. That information directly conflicts with claims being made by Trump allies who said Biden was solely responsible for the suspect being in the U.S. So far, no one from Trump’s team has addressed this contradiction, leaving a shadow of confusion over who actually approved his stay.
Even with the new information, Vance did not change his tone. He said that millions of voters want more than political statements—they want action. He suggested new steps to track down and deport illegal immigrants, especially those with criminal records or unclear backgrounds. According to him, this shooting should be a wake-up call that national security must always come first.
Donald Trump also weighed in from Florida. He described the attack as an “act of terror” and used harsh language to condemn the shooter, calling him an “animal” and promising he would face extremely serious consequences. The former president said he had been briefed that both guardsmen were “severely wounded,” and he vowed that the government would respond with strength.
Police provided more details as the investigation continued. Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll explained that the shooter did not hesitate for even a second. As soon as he stepped into view, he raised his weapon and fired directly at the guardsmen. The attack happened near Farragut Square, a popular area where office workers, tourists, and commuters move through every day. Witnesses described hearing loud gunshots that echoed between the buildings, followed by people running for their lives.
Investigators are now working to understand why Lakanwal carried out the attack. They are reviewing his background, any personal struggles he may have had, and whether he had any known ties to extremist groups. At the same time, politicians are turning the incident into a nationwide argument about immigration, national security, and who should be held responsible for allowing the suspect to live in the United States.
The country is waiting for updates about the two wounded guardsmen, whose injuries are said to be very serious. Families, soldiers, and citizens across the nation are hoping they survive. As the investigation continues, the shooting has already reshaped the political conversation, and the debate over refugee vetting and government responsibility is growing louder by the hour.
