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In Washington, DC, on Wednesday, two National Guard soldiers were sharply injured when an assailant opened fire on them. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, calling him “cowardly” and a “monster.” She told Fox News’s “Fox & Friends” that they intend to do everything possible to pursue that extreme penalty.
Bondi said the United States has a duty to hold this individual accountable, because he should have never been in the country. The suspect is a former member of the CIA‑affiliated counter‑terrorism unit that operated in Afghanistan, and the agency has confirmed his background. Lakanwal faces, at minimum, three counts of assault with intent to kill and criminal possession of a weapon. Those charges carry a potential sentence of up to 15 years behind bars.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro mentioned that if either of the injured soldiers were to die, the assault charges could be upgraded to murder. She emphasized that there is “no doubt” the death penalty may be imposed if a fatality occurs.
In the same day’s briefing, Pirro also highlighted that the authorities are investigating whether the shooter’s attack was fueled by hatred toward National Guard troops. Jazzmyn Singh noted the violent incident happened just blocks from the White House, at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET.
Bondi went on to criticize “progressive left idiots” who she believes incite violence and fuel hostility toward National Guard members. She confronted defenders of the federal troop deployment to Washington, asserting that their rhetoric is “disgusting” and “despicable.” She also pointed out that numerous liberal lawmakers, media figures, and news anchors have praised the presence of law‑enforcement troops while simultaneously expressing outrage against President Trump’s decision to send federal forces to protect the capital. According to Bondi, these critics should be showing appreciation for the men and women who keep the country safe.
The officer says the shooting, the most serious part of the case, was a “targeted attack.” Authorities believe Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to undertake the shooting spree. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the investigation is “ongoing terrorism,” emphasizing there is no doubt it is a terrorism case, a view that President Trump has echoed, describing the attack as an “act of terror.” Pirro reiterated that the shooting is “not just an attack; it was a direct challenge to law and order” in the capital.
Lakanwal lodged an asylum claim in December 2024 and was approved under the Trump administration in April of this year. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement that Lakanwal had worked with the agency, but did not disclose details. According to #AfghanEvac, a group of veterans who helped evacuate allies from Afghanistan, he served in the elite NDS‑03 unit.
Ratcliffe placed responsibility on the Biden administration for allowing the suspect to enter the U.S. He said that after the “disastrous” withdrawal from Afghanistan the administration justified bringing Lakanwal here in September 2021 because of his past collaboration with the U.S. Government. Ratcliffe added, “This individual – and so many others – should have never been allowed to come here.” He concluded: “Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden Administration’s catastrophic failures. God bless our brave troops.”
The Department of Homeland Security announced that it will halt processing of Afghan immigration petitions “indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.”
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