Law enforcement officers have descended on Farragut Square in Washington DC following a shooting that left two National Guard members wounded.
Suspect's CIA Connections Revealed
The alleged gunman, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, arrived in the United States in September 2021 through the Operation Allies Welcome programme. This initiative provided entry visas to Afghans who had previously worked for the US government.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed to media outlets on Wednesday evening that Lakanwal had worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan. According to The New York Times, the suspect had worked for several US government agencies in Afghanistan, including a CIA-supported unit in the southern Taliban stronghold of Kandahar.
Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital that the Biden administration justified bringing Lakanwal to the US due to his prior work with the government, clarifying his involvement was "as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation".
Immediate Aftermath and Policy Response
In the wake of the incident, US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has stopped processing residency applications from Afghan nationals indefinitely. The agency stated on social media that this pause is pending a further review of security and vetting protocols.
President Donald Trump described the shooting as an "act of terror" and ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington. He emphasised his view that immigration represents "the single greatest national security threat facing our nation".
Security Implications and Ongoing Investigation
This event has triggered a significant reassessment of the vetting processes for Afghan nationals who worked alongside US forces. The confirmation of the suspect's past association with a CIA-backed unit raises serious questions about the security checks conducted for the thousands evacuated during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack on the National Guard members at Farragut Square.
