Jane Mayer Draws Backlash After Saying Guard Deployment Was a 'Political Show' Following DC Shooting

Writer Jane Mayer faced swift criticism after suggesting that the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., contributed to a tragic shooting that wounded two guardsmen near the White House the day before Thanksgiving.

What happened

Two National Guard members were shot just blocks from the White House in a daylight attack. Law enforcement sources have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who has been accused of carrying out the attack. Both guardsmen were critically wounded.

Reactions to Mayer's posts

On the social platform X, Mayer wrote:

"This is so tragic, so unnecessary, these poor guardsmen should never have been deployed. I live in DC and watched as they had virtually nothing to do but pick up trash. It was for political show and at what a cost."

Her comment prompted immediate pushback from senior administration figures and other public officials. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung replied directly on X: "Jane, respectfully, shut the f--- up for trying to politicize this tragedy. They were protecting DC and trying to make the nation’s capital safer. People like you who engage in ghoulish behavior lose all credibility." The administration's rapid response account also called Mayer a "disgusting ghoul."

Ben Williamson, the FBI assistant director for public affairs, condemned the post as well: "If you sat down and tried to come up with a disgraceful response it would be damn near impossible to hit this level. Two guardsmen shot in broad daylight and you not only blame their deployment but then lie to trash and downplay their successful service. Delete your account."

Mayer's follow-ups

Mayer engaged with other X users after the incident. In one exchange she rejected a comparison of this year’s homicides to last year’s figures and wrote, "I’ve covered crime in Washington since 1981—let’s skip the mansplaining. You can play with the stats but homicides were dropping before the troops got here." In another reply she expressed sympathy: "It's [a] tragedy. Sorry that's so hard for some people to see. My heart goes out to the families of the victims."

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier suggested Mayer's initial comment risked blaming the victims and added his support for the guardsmen: "I'm thankful for our guardsmen and praying for them and their families as they keep protecting the peace." Other critics pointed to the apparent contradiction between saying the troops were doing menial tasks while they were ambushed, questioning how the deployment could be dismissed as unnecessary before facts are clear.

Related reactions

Separately, a correspondent's comments about the visibility of uniforms and masks in American cities also drew rebuke from the White House rapid response team, which said such remarks were an inappropriate reaction to the shooting of service members protecting the capital.

No immediate comment was available from the writer's office.

Note: This report summarizes public statements and reactions following the shooting and the online exchanges that followed. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.