The director of the CIA has sensationally revealed the suspected shooter of two National Guard troops in Washington D.C. worked with the agency in Afghanistan prior to the military’s disastrous withdrawal in 2021.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was identified as the alleged gunman taken into custody after the horror shoot-out took place Wednesday just yards from the White House – leaving two soldiers in critical condition.
Late on Wednesday night, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News Lakanwal had direct links to the CIA from his work alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan.
‘The Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA,’ Ratcliffe admitted.
He said his involvement with the CIA was ‘as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation.’
Like President Trump, Ratcliffe slammed the former administration’s ‘disastrous’ actions during the withdrawal of Afghanistan, which allowed unvetted foreigners to enter the US on temporary visas.
‘The individual – and so many others – should have never been allowed to come here,’ Ratcliffe said.
‘Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden administration’s catastrophic failures.’
Trump said the American people are filled with ‘righteous anger and enormous resolve’ as he slammed Biden for allowing Lakanwal to reside in the United States
Footage emerged from the scene on Wednesday showing first responders performing CPR on a troop shot in the head
Late on Wednesday night, CIA Director John Ratcliffe (pictured) sensationally revealed Lakanwal had direct links to the CIA from his work alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan
Trump had earlier slammed former president Joe Biden for facilitating his arrival to the US under Operation Allies Welcome, arguing the American people are deservedly filled with ‘righteous anger and enormous resolve’ after the revelation.
The operation sought to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who assisted the US during the war. It is understood Lakanwal was settled in Bellingham, Washington.
A close relative of Lakanwal was blindsided by Wednesday’s allegations, telling NBC he worked alongside US Special Forces after serving in the Afghan Army for 10 years.
The relative said Lakanwal has a wife and five sons, and that he was even injured in Afghanistan while supporting US soldiers.
Biden long defended the catastrophic withdrawal, which cost 13 Americans their lives and weakened the U.S.-backed Afghan government against the Taliban, ultimately allowing the terror group to seize control again.
According to CNN, Lakanwal entered the United States on a temporary visa handed to him by Biden. But he allegedly applied for asylum status in 2024, and that request was granted in April 2025 by the Trump administration.
But furious Trump took aim solely at Biden and the previous administration on Wednesday night, insisting ‘no country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival.
‘The suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on earth.
A stricken soldier in the back of an ambulance after being shot near the White House
‘He was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021, on those infamous flights that everybody was talking about. Nobody knew who was coming in.
‘His status was extended under legislation signed by President Biden, a disastrous president, the worst in our history.’
Trump went on to warn authorities ‘must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden, and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country.
‘This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity… This attack underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation.’
Shortly after his speech, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services indefinitely stopped ‘processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals, effective immediately… pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
‘The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission,’ the department said in a statement.
The horror shoot-out occurred just yards from the White House in Washington, DC, and has left two soldiers in a critical condition
Trump vowed that ‘the animal’ who shot the troops ‘will pay a very steep price’ as he praised ‘every member of the United States military who is deployed tonight, at home and abroad.’
He urged all families to ‘say a prayer for the two great heroes who were horribly shot.’
The suspect was shot and is being treated in hospital, authorities said. Police have since recovered a handgun from the scene which they believe was used in the attack, according to CNN.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers are being treated at a local hospital after West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey earlier sparked confusion by announcing the soldiers were dead before walking back his statement.
Graphic images from the scene showed a soldier lying injured on the pavement with blood pouring from his head as a Secret Service agent gave him medical attention.
An unidentified trooper was seen on a stretcher inside an ambulance receiving medical attention at the scene of the shooting.
The FBI, ATF and Secret Service swarmed on the scene as a helicopter landed on the National Mall to evacuate one of the wounded National Guardsmen.
Trump has deployed 2,300 National Guard troops into DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the nation’s capital.
A law enforcement vehicle is parked outside of George Washington University Hospital as two service members receive treatment
A U.S. Capitol Park Police helicopter is seen on the National Mall evacuating a National Guard shooting victim
Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals, respond to a shooting near the White House
The president ordered an additional 500 troops to deploy following the shooting on Wednesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, calling it a ‘cowardly, dastardly act, targeting the best of America.’
After the shooting, the president wrote on Truth Social: ‘God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.
‘These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!’
Law enforcement sources told CNN that the suspected shooter is not cooperating with cops.
The suspect appeared to target the soldiers, firing first at one of the guardsmen who was mere feet away, according to the sources.
Lakanwal then allegedly fired at the other guardsman who tried to get behind a bus stop shelter.
The president was not at the White House at the time of the shooting because he flew to Mar-a-Lago yesterday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
FBI Director Kash Patel called the shooting a ‘heinous act’ as he spoke to reporters at the scene.
A member of law enforcement with a rifle at the scene near the White House
Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals
Law enforcement officials stand close to the scene where two West Virginia National Guard members were shot
‘Since this is an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, this will be treated at the federal level as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer,’ Patel said.
‘The FBI will lead out on that mission with our interagency partners to include the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, ATF, DEA, and we’re thankful for the mayor’s assistance in this matter.’
He was joined by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said that she had briefed Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was speaking to Trump when she called, as well as US attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro.
‘I’m the mayor of Washington, D.C., and I too, want to send my thoughts and prayers to the families of the Guardsmen and to the Guardsmen who are in critical condition in a local hospital,’ the Democrat said.
‘We join with the FBI director in ensuring that MPD investigates [and] the U.S. attorney prosecutes this case to the fullest extent of the law.’
Journalist Mari Otsu said that he was riding a cab near the metro station when he heard multiple gunshots and saw a soldier fall to the ground.
‘National Guard shot near the White House at a little before 2.15[pm]. I was in an Uber to work, with my cameraman, and heard multiple shots fired as we passed Farragut West,’ journalist Mari Otsu wrote on X.
‘A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene. Area still on lockdown and Secret Service being deployed.’
A police helicopter circles above the secured area after a shooting in downtown Washington, DC
National Guard troops on the scene as US Marshals arrive
A Secret Service member stands guard at the crime scene
A National Guard soldier helps secure a perimeter in downtown DC near the White House
Other pictures have emerged showing National Guard troops securing a perimeter in downtown DC, where the soldiers were shot.
The identity of the suspect has not been released to the public.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement praying for the National Guard soldiers.
‘My heart breaks for the victims of this horrific shooting in Washington DC near the White House.
‘I am closely monitoring the situation and am praying for the wounded National Guardsmen and their families. I thank all the first responders for their quick action to capture the suspect.’
Commercial flights into Reagan Washington International Airport were briefly paused after the attack.
The Federal Aviation Administration said this was due to ‘the locations of aircraft involved in responding to today’s shooting incident.’
Normal operations have since resumed.
