2 national guard members shot near White House

President Donald Trump condemned the attack as “an act of evil, hatred and terror,” saying the suspect—identified by U.S. media as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal—entered the country from Afghanistan in 2021 during the Biden administration.

Trump said the suspect is in custody and announced the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., on top of the 2,200 already stationed there. He vowed swift justice and called for a review of all Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. under Biden.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the wounded guardsmen were in critical condition. Earlier claims that they had died were later corrected. Officials said it appeared to be a targeted attack and that no additional suspects were involved.

Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials said the motive remains unclear. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the extra troop deployment aims to boost security in the capital. Congressional leaders from both parties issued statements expressing concern and support for the victims.