In a somber Thanksgiving Day address, President Donald Trump informed the nation of the tragic death of 20-year-old National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom. The young soldier was fatally shot in what has been described as a heinous attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Beckstrom and fellow soldier Andrew Wolfe were targeted by an Afghan Army veteran, who entered the United States under the Biden administration in 2021.
"Just seconds before I went on, right now, I heard that Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we were talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person… outstanding in every way, she's just passed away," President Trump said during his address to reporters. "She's no longer with us. She's looking down on us right now. Her parents are with her. It's just happened. She was savagely attacked, she's dead," he added.
Authorities have apprehended 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is currently hospitalized but expected to recover. In the wake of the attack, President Trump directed War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy an additional 500 troops in the nation's capital, reinforcing his administration's resolve to maintain order and security.
The president took to Truth Social to express his determination to see justice served, stating, "The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. 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!"
The tragedy is compounded by the fact that Beckstrom and Wolfe had been National Guard troops for less than 24 hours when the attack occurred, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro. Lakanwal faces charges of assault with the intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Pirro has indicated that charges could be upgraded following Beckstrom's death.
The nation mourns the loss of a young hero who volunteered to serve on Thanksgiving, sacrificing her life for people she never met. The incident has reignited discussions about national security, immigration policy, and the treatment of veterans.
