Washington DC experienced a state of turmoil on Wednesday following a shocking daylight attack near the White House that left two National Guard soldiers wounded. The incident led to a lockdown at the White House as President Trump denounced it as an “act of evil” while en route back from Mar-a-Lago.
The two West Virginia National Guard reservists were shot on a street corner close to the White House, part of a deployment to support President Trump’s crime crackdown initiative in the city. Although their identities were not disclosed due to their critical condition, one of the soldiers, Andrew Wolfe, was confirmed as injured by his former high school.
Initial reports from West Virginia’s governor falsely stated the soldiers had died in the attack, causing confusion that was later clarified. The suspect, identified as a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the US in 2021, had served in the Afghan army and was granted asylum under the previous administration.
In response to the incident, President Trump announced plans for stricter immigration measures, particularly targeting Afghans. USCIS halted processing of Afghan immigration requests indefinitely for security reassessment. Mr. Trump also used the opportunity to criticize immigrants from various countries, drawing attention to the Somali community in Minnesota.
Advocates for Afghan immigrants urged against generalizing and demonizing the entire community, emphasizing the peaceful integration of many Afghan nationals in American society. The attack highlights the ongoing presence of troops in Washington DC, with additional reinforcements planned to ensure safety in the city.