Trump doesn’t rule out deporting DC shooting suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s family

The Afghan national reportedly entered the US in 2021 and was living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and at least five children
PUBLISHED NOV 28, 2025
Donald Trump answered a reporter's question about possibly deporting Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s family after confirming the death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom (@DHSgov/X, Getty Images)
Donald Trump answered a reporter's question about possibly deporting Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s family after confirming the death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom (@DHSgov/X, Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Thursday, November 27, that he has not ruled out deporting the family of the shooting suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, involved in the Washington, DC, ambush-style attack near the White House. 

The POTUS made the revelation after announcing the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, a West Virginia National Guard member who was shot in the attack. The other victim, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, "is fighting for his life." 

Trump calls DC shooting a 'tragic situation'

When asked by a reporter on Thursday whether he plans to deport the wife and children of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, Donald Trump said, "Well, we’re looking at that right now. We’re looking at the whole situation with family. It’s a tragic situation."

Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 under "Operation Allies Welcome" in the wake of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. He resettled in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and at least five children. 

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 26: Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Secret Service and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, respond to a shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot near the White House Wednesday afternoon in what authorities are calling a targeted shooting. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Members of law enforcement, including the US Secret Service and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, respond to a shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Lakanwal allegedly opened fire and struck two National Guard troops just blocks away from the White House around 2.15 PM on Wednesday.

Beckstrom — who was shot in the head and chest — was patrolling the area with guardsman Wolfe when the attack took place.

A third guardsman rushed to the scene after hearing the gunshots and took down Lakanwal, who was also left with gunshot wounds in the melee. 

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 27: President Donald Trump participates in a call with U.S. service members from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump participates in a call with US service members from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida (Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

The 29-year-old suspect is facing at least three counts of assault with intent to kill and criminal possession of a weapon. Those counts carry up to 15 years behind bars. 

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro earlier announced plans to pursue first-degree murder charges against the terror suspect if one of the two soldiers died from their wounds.

Trump says he'd ‘certainly’ consider attending funeral of Sarah Beckstrom

During a call with the US service members, Donald Trump said he would "certainly" consider attending the funeral of Sarah Beckstrom.

The POTUS said Beckstrom’s family was "devastated" and praised the young soldier as "highly respected" and "magnificent."

Trump told reporters he had not yet considered attending the funeral, adding that it was "certainly something I could conceive of" and noted his connection to West Virginia.



He mentioned that Beckstrom’s parents were at her side when he spoke with them and described her as "outstanding in every way."

"I heard that Sarah Beckstrom, of West Virginia ... highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way, she's just passed away. She was savagely attacked. She's dead now," the POTUS mentioned.

He also shared that Wolfe was "fighting for his life" and hoped for "better news" regarding his condition.

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