The Blogging Hounds

Federal investigators are uncovering the deeper story behind the Afghan national accused of ambushing two West Virginia National Guard soldiers near the White House—a targeted attack now being treated as a potential act of terrorism. One Guardswoman is dead, another is fighting for his life, and the U.S. government is mobilizing coast-to-coast as new revelations raise urgent questions about security failures, migration policy, and the growing threat environment inside America’s capital.

The Suspect’s CIA-Linked Past
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is believed to have previously served in Afghanistan’s NDS-03 “Zero Units,” elite paramilitary forces trained, funded, and directed by the CIA for counterterrorism raids. A cousin told the Associated Press that Lakanwal rose from security guard to team leader and GPS specialist. Human Rights Watch has documented serious abuse allegations against elements of the Zero Units—claims the CIA has long denied—but the revelation underscores the complexity of assessing risk among former foreign security operatives brought into the United States after the 2021 withdrawal.

Conflicting Immigration Claims: Reuters Confirms Asylum Approval
Early reports stated Lakanwal’s humanitarian parole from Operation Allies Welcome expired in 2023 and that he remained in the country only on a pending asylum claim. But Reuters reported Thursday—citing direct DHS sources—that Lakanwal had already been granted asylum under the Biden administration. DHS has now launched a sweeping review of all Afghan asylum approvals, and USCIS has paused Afghan immigration processing nationwide “until further notice.”
Neighbors in Bellingham, Washington, told the New York Post the family kept to themselves and owned few belongings. FBI agents forcibly entered the residence during a Wednesday raid as part of a widening investigation.

The Cross-Country Journey and the Ambush
Investigators say Lakanwal drove nearly 3,000 miles from Washington state to D.C. shortly before the attack. Authorities allege he lay in wait near the Farragut West Metro entrance before approaching two uniformed Guardsmen, producing a .357 revolver, and opening fire. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was struck in the head and chest; Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, was hit in the torso. Beckstrom, who volunteered to work so others could spend Thanksgiving with family, died Thursday from her injuries.

How the Shooter Was Stopped
According to CBS News, a National Guard major sprinted toward the gunfire armed only with a pocket knife. When Lakanwal paused to reload, the major lunged, stabbing the attacker repeatedly in the head. Another Guardsman arrived seconds later and shot Lakanwal in the leg and buttocks. Witnesses report Lakanwal shouted “Allahu akbar” during the assault.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has charged him with assault with intent to kill, weapons offenses, and firearm violations. Federal prosecutors now expect to add first-degree murder. Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed: “We will seek the death penalty against that monster who should not have been in our country.”

Federal Response and National Security Fallout
President Donald Trump deployed 500 more National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and ordered expanded security perimeters around federal buildings. Reagan National Airport briefly halted departures during the emergency response.
Trump then issued a sweeping Thanksgiving migration policy announcement calling for a “permanent pause” on immigration from “Third World Countries,” denaturalization of individuals who undermine domestic tranquility, and removal of foreign nationals deemed security risks or non-contributors to the United States.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the attack is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, with probes now stretching from Washington state to San Diego.

Deep Dive: The Vetting Crisis No One Wants to Confront
Inspector general reviews following the 2021 Afghan evacuation found dozens of initial terrorism watchlist hits—most resolved, but many flagged gaps in screening. Thursday’s Reuters confirmation that Lakanwal received asylum despite prior military paramilitary ties will intensify those concerns.
DHS’ nationwide freeze of Afghan immigration processing signals the administration’s acknowledgment that the system may have been compromised.

Prophetic Context: A Nation Without Walls
Scripture warns of nations that abandon discernment and allow violence within their gates. “Your gates will be open continually… that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession” (Isaiah 60:11 NASB1977). America’s gates have indeed stood wide open—and now the consequences are undeniable.
The targeted killing of a young American soldier near the White House by a foreign national entrusted to U.S. protection echoes the biblical pattern of judgment when a nation refuses to guard its borders (Ezekiel 22:30).

Strategic Implications
This attack will reshape U.S. migration policy, federal vetting protocols, and national security posture for years. Expect congressional hearings, expanded terrorism watchlist integration, and a political realignment around border sovereignty. The attempted execution of U.S. service members in the shadow of the White House may become the defining flashpoint of America’s immigration debate moving forward.

Conclusion
The death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, the critical injury of Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, and the national security gaps exposed by this attack mark a turning point. This was not random violence—it was a targeted assault carried out by a man the U.S. government admitted, approved, and protected. The consequences are ricocheting through every level of federal authority. America stands at a crossroads: reinforce the gates or watch them fall.

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