On Wednesday, November 26, a terrorist attack occurred in the United States when a gunman opened fire on members of the National Guard of the United States in Washington, D.C., near the White House, seriously wounding two guardsmen.
Attack on National Guard of the United States Members in America
U.S. authorities explained that the attack was an ambush carried out by the assailant against members of the National Guard of the United States in Washington, D.C., resulting in injuries to two guardsmen. The assailant was also wounded.
In this context, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the attack was an act of terrorism and a crime against humanity, emphasizing that the attack on the National Guard constituted a threat to national security and was a heinous act of terrorism and a crime against the country. The identity of the perpetrator has been revealed.
American media confirmed that the shooter was an Afghan citizen named Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, 29 years old, who entered the United States in 2021.
Trump stated that the United States should review every foreigner entering the country from Afghanistan during Joe Biden’s presidency, adding that the suspected shooter came to the country from Afghanistan in 2021.
Who is Rahmanullah Lakhanwal?
Fox News, citing CIA Director John Ratcliffe, reported that the suspect in the shooting of the National Guard members is 29 years old and had previously worked with the CIA, the U.S. military, and other government agencies.
The news network added that the suspect came to the United States in September 2021, one month after the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, which caused widespread chaos. It is worth noting that this move comes after Trump called on his administration to re-examine Afghan immigrants who entered the United States during the administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden. The administration stated in a post on the X platform: “The safety and security of our homeland and the American people remains our sole focus and mission.”
Official statements regarding the incident
Earlier, President Donald Trump confirmed that two National Guard of the United States members had been shot, adding that they were “seriously wounded” and that the shooter was also seriously injured.
Trump wrote in a post on TruthSocial, “The animal who shot two National Guard members, both seriously wounded and now hospitalized in separate facilities, was also seriously wounded, but will pay a heavy price.”
Following the attack, Secretary of Defense Pete Higseth said that Trump had requested the deployment of 500 additional troops to Washington, D.C.
Higgseth added, “This happened just steps from the White House, and things are not going to stand still. That’s why President Trump has asked me to deploy an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.”
What is the U.S. National Guard, and what are its duties?
The U.S. National Guard is part of the U.S. Army Reserve and consists of two branches: the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard of the United States.
The National Guard’s origins can be traced back to the “civilian militias” formed in the 17th century in the British colonies of North America. The first units were established in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in December 1636, forming three regiments to protect the colony, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
In the 20th century, the National Guard of the United States transformed into a cornerstone of the U.S. military, evolving into a combat force that meets national security requirements.
This transformation occurred after Congress passed the Dick Act in 1903, which unified the militias into a structured and controlled reserve force.
Every state has a National Guard, and governors can deploy them during emergencies such as riots or natural disasters. The U.S. president can also order the deployment of National Guard units on active duty for up to two years in the event of a national emergency.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense’s Human Resources Data Center, the National Guard has approximately 430,000 reserve personnel, including about 9,500 stationed in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
The chief of the National Guard Bureau is the highest-ranking officer and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This officer can be selected from the Army or Air Force. State Guard units are typically commanded by an officer with the rank of major or higher.
When deployed within a state, the governor usually commands the reserve units. When deployed nationwide, the president is the commander-in-chief.
As with the other branches of the U.S. armed forces, membership in the National Guard of the United States is voluntary.
Furthermore, the National Guard is part of a multi-agency border security system. By January 2025, there were approximately 4,000 National Guard of the United States troops stationed along the border with Mexico, some on federal assignments ordered by the president, and others under state command.
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The National Guard also plays a pivotal role in supporting U.S. military operations abroad. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, more than one million National Guard of the United States troops have been deployed on missions overseas, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Europe, and the Pacific region.
