National Guard Shooting Near White House Prompts Security Surge and Fuels Immigration Crackdown

A deadly shooting involving two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., earlier this week has unsettled officials nationwide. The incident, which occurred several blocks from the White House, has prompted an increased federal law enforcement presence in the capital and accelerated the administration's push to tighten immigration policy.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom were both shot during the attack. Beckstrom died on Thursday; Wolfe remained in critical condition as of Saturday.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) is expected to address the shooting and pay tribute to the two service members during an appearance on Fox News’s The Sunday Briefing.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that 500 additional National Guard troops will join those already deployed in Washington, saying the move is intended to strengthen security in the capital. “This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful,” Hegseth told reporters.

Hours after the shooting, the president announced an indefinite pause on immigration from Afghanistan — the reported country of origin of the suspected shooter. Authorities identified the alleged shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, whom the Department of Homeland Security said entered the United States in September 2021 under the program Operation Allies Welcome.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X that the suspect was “an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States … under the Biden Administration,” and said she would not name him in order to deny him notoriety. Noem is scheduled to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press and ABC’s This Week to discuss additional protocols being implemented in response to the shooting.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice will seek the death penalty against the alleged shooter. According to the office of U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro, the charges include three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and one count of first-degree murder. Bondi is slated to discuss the case and the prospect of capital punishment on Fox News Sunday.

White House border czar Tom Homan is expected on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures and could explain how the shooting is informing the administration’s immigration restrictions. The episode has also intensified a separate political clash: the president and Defense Secretary Hegseth have publicly criticized Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and other Democrats over a video in which they urged service members not to follow what they described as “illegal orders.” The president described the clip as an act of “sedition”; Hegseth said the Pentagon would investigate Kelly for alleged misconduct. Kelly will appear on CNN’s State of the Union to respond.

These topics and more are expected to be discussed across this week’s Sunday political programs. Announced guests include:

• NewsNation — The Hill Sunday: Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D)
• CBS — Face the Nation: National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett; Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.); Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio)
• NBC — Meet the Press: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem; Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.); Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D)
• ABC — This Week: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem; Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.)
• Fox News — Fox News Sunday: Attorney General Pam Bondi; Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.); Google CEO Sundar Pichai
• CNN — State of the Union: Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.); Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.); Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.)
• Fox News — Sunday Morning Futures: White House border czar Tom Homan; Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.); Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.); acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba; commentator Benny Johnson

Officials say the investigation is ongoing. Authorities and senior administration officials are expected to provide further details during this week’s Sunday programs.