On November 26, 2025, a quiet stretch of sidewalk near the White House became the scene of a shocking act of violence when Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 32-year-old Afghan national and former CIA contractor, opened fire on two members of the West Virginia National Guard. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed. Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically wounded. The attack sent shockwaves through Washington — and triggered a response from Donald Trump that was as calculated as it was controversial.
A President’s Calculated Silence — Then a Storm
Trump didn’t speak publicly about the shooting until three days later, on November 28, during a Thanksgiving call with U.S. troops from Mar-a-Lago. That delay, unusual for a president facing a domestic terror incident, drew immediate scrutiny. But what followed wasn’t silence — it was a masterclass in political messaging. He didn’t offer condolences to Wolfe’s family. He didn’t mention the shooter’s mental state. Instead, he held up a photo of Afghan evacuees crammed onto a military plane during the 2021 Kabul withdrawal and called Lakanwal a "savage monster." "We have no greater national security priority than ensuring that we have full control over the people that enter and remain in our country," Trump said. "For the most part, we don’t want them." The remark was a direct rebuke of the Biden administration’s asylum policies — and a signal to his base that he intended to use the tragedy to advance his immigration agenda."Not Sure" About the Funeral — And Why It Mattered
When asked whether he’d attend Beckstrom’s funeral, Trump replied, "I’m not sure." The comment, picked up by international outlets like the Times of India, ignited a firestorm. Military families, veterans’ groups, and even some Republican insiders called it a "gut punch." In the U.S., the president’s presence at a fallen service member’s funeral isn’t just protocol — it’s symbolism. It says: "You were seen. You mattered." Trump’s team later claimed he was "still finalizing logistics," but the damage was done. Former Marine and veteran advocate Colonel Tom Hanks (ret.) told CNN: "This isn’t about scheduling. It’s about character. When a soldier dies defending this country, the president shows up — even if it’s inconvenient." Meanwhile, the White House confirmed Trump had privately spoken with Beckstrom’s parents — a gesture that seemed designed to soften the public backlash while maintaining political distance.The Immigration Crackdown Begins
Within hours of Trump’s remarks, he announced via Truth Social a sweeping policy shift: "Permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries." He added that he’d consider revoking legal status for immigrants from nations deemed "of concern." The Department of Homeland Security immediately launched a "full scale, rigorous reexamination" of all green card holders from countries flagged in a classified list — a move confirmed by NBC News. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began reviewing over 12,000 cases approved under Biden, according to internal memos obtained by The New York Times. The policy shift was not without precedent. In 2017, Trump’s "travel ban" targeted seven Muslim-majority nations. This time, the scope was broader — and explicitly tied to a violent crime. Legal experts warned the move could face immediate challenges in federal court. "Linking an individual’s crime to an entire nationality is legally reckless," said immigration attorney Maria Chen, a former DOJ prosecutor. "It’s not policy. It’s scapegoating."
7 Controlled Moments — The Smith Analysis
On November 27, 2025, Mikey Smith, author of the ALM Intelligence VerdictSearch report, published a piece titled "7 Controlled Donald Trump Moments Amid Calm Response to Washington Shooting." Smith documented how Trump’s team had quietly clarified that Lakanwal had entered the U.S. under a humanitarian parole program — not a visa — and had been under surveillance since 2023. That detail, buried in a press release, subtly shifted blame from the system to the individual — and away from the administration’s own oversight failures. Smith noted seven key moments: 1. The three-day delay before public comment 2. The use of the Kabul photo as visual propaganda 3. The framing of the shooting as a "terrorist attack" — despite no terror group claiming responsibility 4. The abrupt pivot to immigration policy 5. The refusal to commit to the funeral 6. The timing of the Truth Social post — just before evening news cycles 7. The simultaneous launch of the green card review "This wasn’t a reaction," Smith wrote. "It was a rollout."Peace Talks, Venezuela, and the Bigger Picture
While the nation fixated on the shooting and its fallout, another major development unfolded quietly. On November 18, 2025, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented Trump with a 28-point national security plan. One of its pillars: restarting peace negotiations in Geneva. By November 29, administration officials told The Washington Post they were "the closest we’ve ever been to ending the war" — a reference to the long-running conflict in Central Asia involving Afghan remnants and U.S.-backed forces. Trump also announced plans to "begin taking action against alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers on land," a move Reuters reported would involve deploying Joint Task Force North to the Texas border. "The land is easier," he told troops. "But that’s going to start very soon." It was a stark contrast: one front where diplomacy was advancing, another where rhetoric was escalating.
What’s Next? The Legal and Political Fallout
Lakanwal remains in federal custody, charged with murder and attempted murder. His attorney has not yet entered a plea. The FBI is investigating whether he had any ties to foreign intelligence services — a possibility the White House has neither confirmed nor denied. Meanwhile, Congress is preparing hearings on the green card review. Democrats have vowed to block funding for any program that targets immigrants based on nationality. Republicans, meanwhile, are rallying behind Trump’s stance, with Senator Tom Cotton calling the shooting "the inevitable result of open borders." The political stakes couldn’t be higher. With the 2026 midterms looming, this incident could become the defining issue of the election cycle — not for its tragedy, but for how it was weaponized.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trump wait three days to speak about the shooting?
Trump’s team later said they waited to ensure facts were confirmed and to avoid politicizing the incident prematurely. But critics argue the delay was strategic — allowing time to shape the narrative around immigration before addressing the victims. The three-day gap is unusually long for a domestic attack near the White House, especially compared to past presidents who typically addressed such events within hours.
Is Rahmanullah Lakanwal linked to any terrorist organization?
As of now, no terrorist group has claimed responsibility, and the FBI has not publicly linked Lakanwal to any organization. He was known to U.S. intelligence as a former CIA asset in Afghanistan who fell out of favor after 2022. His motive remains undisclosed, though investigators are examining his online activity for signs of radicalization or personal grievances.
How many green card holders are affected by the new review?
The Department of Homeland Security has not released exact numbers, but internal documents obtained by The New York Times indicate over 12,000 green card applications approved under Biden are being re-examined. The review targets individuals from 17 countries labeled "of concern," including Afghanistan, Venezuela, Somalia, and Yemen — all nations with high asylum approval rates under the prior administration.
What’s the legal basis for revoking green cards based on nationality?
Current U.S. law allows revocation only for fraud, criminal activity, or security threats tied to the individual — not their country of origin. Legal experts say the administration’s plan risks violating the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection clause. Multiple civil rights groups have already signaled they’ll file lawsuits if the policy is implemented.
Why is Geneva significant in this story?
Geneva has long been a neutral ground for international diplomacy. The restart of peace talks there — led by Vance and Rubio — signals a shift in Trump’s foreign policy from confrontation to negotiation, particularly regarding Afghan remnants and regional militias. It’s a rare point of continuity with Biden’s approach, suggesting that even amid domestic chaos, some foreign policy goals remain unchanged.
How has the military responded to Trump’s comments about Beckstrom’s funeral?
The West Virginia National Guard issued a brief statement honoring Beckstrom’s service but did not comment on Trump’s remarks. However, multiple retired generals privately told Stars and Stripes that the president’s "not sure" comment was "unforgivable." The National Guard Association has since announced it will invite a sitting president to every future fallen service member’s funeral — a direct rebuke to the perceived indifference.
