Rep. Bennie Thompson faced sharp criticism after calling the Thanksgiving Eve shooting that killed Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically injured Spc. Andrew Wolfe an "unfortunate accident" during a House Homeland Security hearing. Governor Kristi Noem rejected that characterization, labeling the incident a "terrorist attack" and blaming vetting failures tied to large-scale Afghan resettlement programs. The session devolved into a partisan dispute over who approved the suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s asylum and whether required checks were completed.
Top Homeland Security Democrat Faces Backlash After Calling WV National Guard Shooting an 'Unfortunate Accident'
Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, left, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, right, are seen in a hearing.
The top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), drew immediate criticism during a Thursday hearing after he referred to the Thanksgiving Eve shooting that killed a West Virginia National Guardswoman and critically wounded another as an "unfortunate accident." The victims were identified as Spc. Sarah Beckstrom of Webster County, who was killed, and Spc. Andrew Wolfe of Berkeley County, who was critically injured. Authorities have named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan refugee living in Bellingham, Washington, as the suspect.
Heated Exchange at "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland" Hearing
The remarks came during the committee's "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland" hearing, where lawmakers debated vetting procedures for asylum applicants and refugee resettlement programs. Thompson — who earlier clashed with FBI Operations Director Michael Glasheen — pressed officials and witnesses about who approved Lakanwal's asylum and vetting process.
"Madam Secretary, you and the gentleman from NCTC (Joe Kent) reference the unfortunate accident that occurred with the National Guardsman being killed," Thompson said.
Governor Kristi Noem, who spoke during the hearing, pushed back strongly: "You think that was an unfortunate accident? It was a terrorist attack," and added, "He shot our national guardsmen in the head." Thompson attempted to clarify his question before she responded, saying he wanted to "get it straight" so she could answer.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., center, flanked by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., left, and Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., makes a statement as the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol pushes ahead.
Dispute Over Who Approved Vetting
The hearing quickly turned to a partisan dispute over which administration approved Lakanwal's entry and which vetting procedures were followed. Noem argued the suspect was admitted through large-scale programs such as "Operation Allies Welcome" and "Operation Allies Refuge," and criticized what she described as inadequate follow-up checks. She accused the Biden administration of failing to perform required annual check-ins for asylum cases and of allowing inadequately screened individuals into the country.
Thompson, in turn, suggested that final approval for Lakanwal's application may have occurred under the previous (Trump) administration and even floated the prospect of perjury charges related to testimony about who signed off on the case. Media reports after the November attack indicated that the Trump administration may have issued final approval for the applicant, but lawmakers on the panel disputed the timeline and responsibility.
Partisan Tensions Escalate
The exchange grew tense. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) interrupted Thompson, saying, "That was a murder that took place in D.C. — it was not an unfortunate incident," and called Thompson's phrasing disrespectful. Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) ruled the interruption out of order and then yielded to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) as the next questioner.
The hearing underscored deep partisan divisions over immigration vetting, asylum approvals and how to characterize violent acts on U.S. soil. Lawmakers pressed for clearer answers about who approved the suspect’s arrival, what vetting standards were applied, and which administration should be held accountable for any procedural failures.
