Al Sharpton blames Trump for National Guard shooting: 'Their lives are at stake'

WASHINGTON, DC: Rev Al Sharpton wasted no time linking President Donald Trump to the shocking Thanksgiving Eve shooting that left two National Guard soldiers critically wounded in downtown Washington, DC. The soldiers were shot near 17th and I Street NW on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an immediate police response, street closures, and a short-term lockdown across several blocks.

Authorities said the guardsmen were ambushed while on federal deployment in the district, part of the heightened security strategy that has kept thousands of troops stationed in the capital since August.

Al Sharpton says Trump’s policies ‘put them in harm’s way’

Appearing on MSNBC’s 'Deadline: White House', Sharpton argued that the shooting was a direct result of Trump’s approach to crime and public safety.

“Matter of two people fighting for their lives, guardsmen, that this president put there,” Sharpton told host Nicole Wallace. He added that while he strongly opposed the deployment, he would not ignore the fact that “their lives are at stake” because of Trump’s decisions.

Continuing his criticism, Sharpton said, “If I'm a member of their families, I don't want to hear what he’s saying about Honduras right now. I want to pray that these two guardsmen… make it through.”

His comments came just hours after War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Trump had ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington in response to the shooting.

Al Sharpton calls added deployment a political move

Sharpton dismissed Trump’s swift decision to send more troops as a performative effort meant to bolster his immigration and crime messaging.

“All of this about sending in 500 people, what does that have to do with where we are now?” he asked, accusing the administration of exploiting a tragedy to validate its policies. He urged Trump’s critics to refuse to “morally match him” by descending to what he called “a level of insensitivity.”

Sharpton also pointed to what he called hypocrisy from Trump allies.

“People that pardoned people assaulting police officers are now talking about how they’re going to uphold and look up to the people in the building,” he said, referencing January 6. He added pointedly, “People in that building were beat January 6th.”

Investigation underway as FBI treats shooting as assault on federal officer

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that investigators are treating the attack as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, given the guardsmen’s federal deployment status.

Patel emphasized that the shooting occurred during an active mission to support DC’s response to rising violence and street crime.

The troops currently stationed in Washington number roughly 2,200 personnel, part of an operation that began in August following a spike in violent incidents around the National Mall and government buildings.

Officials have not yet disclosed details about suspects or a possible motive, and the two wounded soldiers remain hospitalized in critical condition.