In a recent incident that has shaken the nation's capital, two National Guard soldiers were subjected to a violent attack in Washington, D.C. The assault resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left West Virginia service member Andrew Wolfe in critical condition. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was apprehended by authorities and is currently hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has signaled its determination to seek the death penalty for Lakanwal. In a statement, Bondi expressed the DOJ's commitment to prosecuting the accused to the fullest extent, labeling him a "monster who should not have been in our country." The case has drawn significant attention, not only due to the nature of the crime but also because of Lakanwal's background and the circumstances of his entry into the United States.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 during the Biden administration, amid the controversial withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. Lakanwal had a history of service in the Afghan Army, where he assisted U.S. troops for a decade. His involvement with the CIA's "Zero Unit" earned him entry into the United States on a temporary visa as part of Operation Allies Welcome.
Reports from the Daily Mail indicate that Lakanwal has suffered from mental health issues, possibly including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), linked to his military service in Afghanistan. A childhood friend of Lakanwal told the New York Times about the Afghan national's struggles with witnessing the horrors of war. The friend recounted that Lakanwal often felt overwhelmed by the pressure and the gruesome nature of military operations he was involved in.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwal's past association with the agency during an interview with Fox News. Ratcliffe criticized the Biden administration's decision to bring Lakanwal to the U.S., stating that such individuals "should have never been allowed to come here." He reiterated the sentiment that U.S. citizens and service members deserve better than to face the consequences of what he termed the "Biden administration's catastrophic failures."
However, it was under the Trump administration that Lakanwal was permitted to stay in the country after his temporary visa expired in 2024. The case has ignited a debate over the processes and policies governing the admission and vetting of foreign nationals with sensitive backgrounds.
