Trump Administration Deploys Additional National Guard Troops to D.C. After Targeted Shooting Near White House

Washington D.C. was rocked on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, by a targeted shooting near the White House that left two U.S. National Guard soldiers critically wounded. The incident prompted the Trump administration to immediately deploy an additional 500 National Guard members to the nation's capital, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The two critically injured soldiers, identified as members of the West Virginia National Guard, were ambushed near the Farragut West metro station, just blocks from the White House, as reported by Mayor Muriel Bowser and FBI Director Kash Patel. Initial reports of fatalities from West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey were later retracted, confirming both were in critical condition.

Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021. The suspect, who was also shot during the exchange of gunfire, is now in custody and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

President Donald Trump condemned the assailant, calling him an "animal" and vowing he would "pay a very steep price," as stated on his Truth Social account. The President's swift response to the shooting underscores the heightened tensions surrounding his administration's ongoing nationwide crime crackdown.

Defense Secretary Hegseth announced the additional deployment, bringing the total number of National Guard troops in Washington D.C. to approximately 2,700, according to CBS News. He emphasized the administration's resolve to ensure the capital's safety and beauty, as reported by The Hindu.

This incident further intensifies the controversy surrounding President Trump's use of military forces for domestic law enforcement, a policy that has faced significant legal challenges and criticism from local officials. Federal courts have previously ruled some of these deployments unlawful, as noted by Time Magazine.

• Escalation of a Controversial Policy: The deployment of additional National Guard troops follows President Trump's declaration of a "crime emergency" in Washington D.C. in August 2025, which initially saw 800 Guard members deployed. This move was made despite data from the Justice Department indicating that crime in the district had been at a 30-year low, as reported by Democracy Docket. The administration's broader "nationwide crime crackdown" has extended to other Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles, Memphis, and Portland, often overriding local objections and sparking widespread debate over the appropriate use of military personnel in civilian law enforcement roles.

• Legal Challenges and Unlawful Deployments: The Trump administration's deployments of the National Guard have been met with numerous legal challenges. A federal court found that the president's decision to deploy over 2,000 Guard members to D.C. was likely unlawful, according to Democracy Docket. Similarly, a U.S. district judge ruled in September 2025 that the administration had violated the Posse Comitatus Act in its deployment of military forces in Los Angeles, as detailed by Wikipedia. These rulings highlight ongoing concerns about potential abuses of power and violations of laws limiting military involvement in domestic law enforcement.

• Details of the Targeted Attack: The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time near the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW, a high-security zone close to the White House perimeter. Metropolitan Police Department official Jeffery Carroll stated that a lone gunman "ambushed" the Guard members, coming around a corner and immediately opening fire. Other Guard members in the vicinity responded quickly, subduing the assailant after an exchange of gunfire, as reported by police1.

• Victims and Suspect Information: The two West Virginia National Guard members were hospitalized in critical condition, with FBI Director Kash Patel and Mayor Muriel Bowser confirming their status. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, was also injured during the incident and is receiving medical treatment while in custody. The motive behind the targeted attack remains under investigation, according to law enforcement officials.

• Political Ramifications and Public Debate: The incident and subsequent troop deployment have further fueled the political debate surrounding the Trump administration's "crime crackdown." President Trump has framed the issue as a strong platform for Republicans, despite FBI data showing a national decrease in violent crime, as noted by WUNC. Critics, including Democratic leaders, accuse the White House of exaggerating crime challenges to justify what they describe as an illegal military occupation.

• Historical Context of National Guard Deployments: The National Guard has a long history of domestic deployments for various reasons, including civil unrest and natural disasters, as outlined by Al Jazeera. However, the scale and nature of the current deployments under the Trump administration, particularly in response to perceived crime waves in cities, have been described as unprecedented by legal experts. The D.C. National Guard, in particular, has a unique command structure where the President serves as its Commander-in-Chief, according to wikipedia.

• Ongoing Security Concerns and Future Implications: The shooting near the White House underscores persistent security concerns in the capital amidst the increased military presence. The federal judge's ruling last week, ordering an end to the D.C. deployment but placing it on hold for 21 days for an appeal, indicates the legal battle is far from over. The continued deployment and the recent violent incident raise questions about the long-term impact on civil liberties, federal-state relations, and the role of the military in domestic affairs.