Overview of the Incident
On November 26, 2025, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in an ambush just blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C. The suspect is identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He was immediately taken into custody after law enforcement returned fire.
A spokesperson for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) confirmed that Lakanwal previously worked with the U.S. government — including the CIA — as part of a “partner force” in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Background: Who Is Rahmanullah Lakanwal?
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Lakanwal reportedly served in the Afghan armed forces and led a unit that worked alongside U.S. and British troops during the war in Afghanistan.
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After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, he was admitted to the United States under the Operation Allies Welcome program, which resettled Afghan nationals who had assisted U.S. forces.
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According to U.S. immigration records cited by media, Lakanwal was paroled into the U.S. in September 2021 for humanitarian reasons.
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He applied for asylum in 2024; his asylum claim was reportedly granted in 2025. His application for a green card remains pending.
Reaction: Security, Immigration, and Political Fallout
The revelation that the suspect had worked with the CIA has triggered intense political and public debate. The shooting occurred amid a broader national discussion over immigration, vetting, and national security.
In response to the attack, the U.S. government announced a temporary pause in processing immigration applications for Afghan nationals, citing a need to reassess vetting procedures.
Meanwhile, criticism has emerged over how someone with prior government-affiliated service — admitted under humanitarian or ally-resettlement programs — could allegedly carry out a violent attack on U.S. servicemembers.
What Still Remains Unclear
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The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. Law enforcement officials have described the attack as a “targeted ambush” and say Lakanwal acted alone.
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While his ties to U.S. agencies (including the CIA) have been confirmed, officials say the relationship ended in 2021 after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Fox News+2WBAL+2
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There are ongoing questions about the vetting process for evacuees and refugees brought into the U.S. under ally-resettlement programs, especially those who served alongside U.S. forces abroad.
Broader Implications for U.S. National Security and Immigration Policy
This incident — with a former Afghan ally allegedly shooting U.S. National Guard members — underscores the complexities and risks involved in resettlement programs tied to war-time evacuation. It may prompt tighter security screening and renewed debate over immigration, asylum, and national-security priorities.
For many, it raises uncomfortable questions about how to balance humanitarian obligations to former allies with public safety and national security concerns.
Policymakers and law-enforcement agencies are now facing renewed pressure to review and possibly overhaul vetting procedures for individuals admitted under similar programs.
Conclusion
The shooting near the White House — and the confirmation that the suspect previously worked with the CIA — has sent shockwaves through U.S. politics, immigration policy, and national-security circles. As the investigation continues, this case may become a defining moment in how the United States handles resettlement, asylum, and security screening for foreign nationals with prior military or agency affiliations.
