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Gov. Kristi Noem Urges 'Full Travel Ban' After Alleged D.C. Attack, Cites Vetting Concerns

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said she met with former President Donald Trump and is recommending a comprehensive travel ban on countries she accuses of sending dangerous migrants. In a forceful X post she described some arrivals as "killers" and "leeches" and called for stricter restrictions after an alleged attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, reportedly entered the U.S. legally in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome; Noem blamed inadequate vetting and urged broader travel limits to protect public safety.

06:00 AM, 12/02/2025Security
Gov. Kristi Noem Urges 'Full Travel Ban' After Alleged D.C. Attack, Cites Vetting Concerns

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said she met with former President Donald Trump and is recommending a broad travel ban on countries she says are sending dangerous migrants to the United States. She made the announcement in a blunt post on X (formerly Twitter), criticizing the admission and vetting processes for some arrivals.

Noem’s post used inflammatory language to describe certain newcomers and framed the proposal as necessary to protect public safety and public resources. In her message she wrote:

"I just met with the President. I am recommending a full travel ban on every d--- country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies."

The comment followed reports that a 29-year-old Afghan national, identified by authorities as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly attacked two National Guard members last Wednesday in Washington, D.C., a short distance from the White House. Officials say Lakanwal entered the United States legally in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the program that evacuated and resettled Afghans after the Taliban regained control of the country.

Noem criticized the resettlement and screening process, saying the suspect was not properly vetted and blaming the Biden administration for what she described as insufficient checks on some arrivals. Her call for sweeping travel restrictions is intended, she says, to prevent future incidents and preserve resources for U.S. citizens.

Supporters of stricter border and vetting policies are likely to welcome Noem’s proposal, while critics argue that unilateral travel bans and inflammatory rhetoric risk stigmatizing entire communities and undermining established immigration processes. The proposal is a political recommendation at this stage and would require broader legal and governmental review before any policy change could take effect.

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