Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has made explosive claims that the suspect in the recent National Guard shooting in Washington DC became "radicalised" within the United States, despite the individual having been granted asylum under the previous Trump administration.
Controversial Claims on Radicalisation
Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Noem asserted that 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was granted asylum in April 2025 under Donald Trump's presidency, underwent radicalisation after arriving in America. "We believe he was radicalised since he's been here in this country," Noem stated during her television appearance.
The Homeland Security Secretary elaborated that authorities suspect the radicalisation occurred "through connections in his home community and state," adding that investigations would continue with those who interacted with Lakanwal, including family members.
This development comes despite records showing that Lakanwal worked with CIA-backed units in Afghanistan before arriving in the United States in September 2021 through the Operation Allies Welcome programme, designed to assist those who supported American efforts abroad.
Immigration Policy Clash
Noem used the shooting incident to criticise the Biden administration's approach to immigration vetting, despite the fact that Lakanwal's asylum was approved during Trump's presidency. "Vetting is happening when they come into the country, and that was completely abandoned under Joe Biden's administration," she claimed, while simultaneously acknowledging that "all that vetting information was collected by Joe Biden's administration."
The Trump administration has utilised the shooting as justification to halt and review asylum and green card applications, signalling a significant policy shift in immigration processing.
Defiance of Court Orders
In a separate contentious development, Noem defended her decision to continue deportation flights to El Salvador despite a court order from US District Judge James Boasberg that required flights in the air to return to the United States in March 2025.
When questioned on NBC's Meet the Press about whether she authorised the continuation of deportation flights for Venezuelan immigrants earlier this year, Noem confirmed her involvement while blaming "activist" and "radical" judges attempting to obstruct their efforts.
"We'll continue to do the right thing, continue to work and protect Americans, no matter what radical judge comes out and tries to stop us," Noem declared during her appearance.
On ABC's This Week, she further elaborated: "Yes, I made that decision and that decision was under my complete authority and following the law and the constitution and the leadership of this president who is dedicated to getting dangerous criminal terrorists and gangs and cartels out of our country."
The Department of Justice has supported Noem's position, claiming the decision did not violate Judge Boasberg's order because the detainees were no longer in US territory when the flights continued. Nevertheless, Judge Boasberg has initiated a contempt inquiry into whether the Trump administration defied his March court order.
Meanwhile, Noem recently visited Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on 23rd November to personally thank TSA agents who worked without pay during a government shutdown, highlighting her engagement with frontline security personnel amid these ongoing controversies.
