Democrat Thompson Draws Fire for Calling Fatal DC Guard Shooting 'Unfortunate Accident'

WASHINGTON — The top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee faced immediate backlash Thursday for describing the fatal shooting of a West Virginia National Guardsman in Washington as an "unfortunate accident" during a congressional hearing on global threats.

The exchange unfolded during the "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland" hearing, where Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the Nov. 26 shooting that killed Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of Webster County, West Virginia, and critically wounded Spc. Andrew Wolfe, 22, of Berkeley County. The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly ambushed the guardsmen near the White House as they patrolled amid heightened security.

Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in September 2021 under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program for Afghan allies, was granted asylum in 2025 after applying in 2024. Authorities say he drove thousands of miles from his home in Bellingham, Washington, to carry out the attack. He faces federal charges including murder and remains hospitalized after being wounded in the incident.

After clashing with FBI operations chief Michael Glasheen over unsubstantiated claims about Antifa's headquarters, Thompson turned to Noem and Rep. Joe Kent, R-Wash., a nominee to head the National Counterterrorism Center.

"Madam Secretary, you and the gentleman from NCTC reference the unfortunate accident that occurred with the National Guardsman being killed," Thompson said.

Noem sharply rebuked him: "You think that was an unfortunate accident? It was a terrorist attack."

Thompson gestured dismissively, saying, "I'll get it straight — then you can respond." Noem pressed: "He shot our national guardsmen in the head."

Appearing to wince, Thompson appealed to Chairman Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., for order, adding, "It was an unfortunate situation, but you blamed it solely on Joe Biden. I want you to know who approved the asylum application for this same person."

Noem countered that Lakanwal was among thousands admitted under Biden-era programs that former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had touted as fully vetted. "I want to remind everybody in Congress: We follow the law, and every asylum is supposed to have a check-in every single year, and the Biden administration failed to do that — they vetted this individual, allowed them into our country, and did not do due diligence."

Thompson persisted, demanding the name of the official who approved Lakanwal's asylum. When Noem reiterated the Biden administration's role, Thompson warned of potential perjury charges, asserting that the Trump administration had issued final approval — a claim supported by federal records reviewed after the attack.

Noem maintained that the application advanced under Biden-established vetting processes, which she said were lax. She noted Lakanwal had been vetted to serve as a soldier alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan but accused Biden of using that as a "ruse" to expedite entries. "Had we followed the standard operating procedures for special immigrant visas, that individual and none of the 'Allies Welcome' people would have come to America. That's on Joe Biden."

Garbarino intervened to restore order, but Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., erupted: "That was a murder that took place in D.C. — it was not an unfortunate incident. And those comments are effin' disrespectful."

Garbarino ruled Ogles' outburst invalid under House rules and turned to Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, for the next question.

 

The hearing highlighted partisan rifts over immigration and national security in the wake of the attack, which President Donald Trump has labeled terrorism and used to justify freezing Afghan visas and pushing for stricter border measures. Lakanwal, a former member of a CIA-backed Afghan counterterrorism unit, had reportedly struggled with isolation and mental health issues post-relocation, according to associates.

--REAL AMERICA'S VOICE

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