Kristi Noem claims National Guard shooting suspect was ‘radicalized’ after entering America

WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared on NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday, November 30, to discuss the recent National Guard shooting, and there she shared her thoughts about the suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

Noem claimed that he was “radicalized” after entering America. 

Kristi Noem comments on Trump granting the shooter asylum 

During the conversation, Kristi Noem responded to the host, Kristen Welker’s question about the DHS approving Lakanwal’s application for asylum in April 2025.

The Homeland Security secretary asked her to remember that Joe Biden’s administration brought Afghan nationals to America without proper vetting.

She claimed that at the time, the Biden admin had said that they would vet these individuals after they arrived in America and added they needed the cooperation of the Afghan government.

“All of the vetting information was collected by Joe Biden’s administration, and it was used in that process,” she claimed. 

Kristi Noem explains adding social media to the vetting process

Noem further claimed that Donald Trump did away with the old process and now relied on social media as an additional tool. Under him, people would be judged based on what they do with their contacts and their biometric data.

She added that when people would now get vetted under the Trump administration, the government would know “who they are, why they are here.”

She further said that they would also know whether those applying to be admitted into America were who they said they were and what their intentions were.

When asked about Trump allegedly pausing immigration from every country of concern, Kristi Noem said that the president was determined to stop all processes from “third-world countries” so they could have a “thorough opportunity” to go through the individuals already present in America. 

Kristi Noem slams Biden administration’s vetting process

As the interview progressed, Kristi Noem criticized the Biden administration for the lack of care as they brought in Afghan nationals to America.

She said that the government at the time was entirely responsible for vetting those who entered the country.

“Vetting happens when they enter the country, and that was completely abandoned under Joe Biden’s administration,” she added.

She said that it was the ‘irresponsibility’ that had devastated America and put the country in a “dangerous position.” Noem added that people didn’t realize how Joe Biden allowed people to “infiltrate” America as its president.

She said that President Trump was “absolutely dedicated” to getting rid of people who were willing to harm America.