Trump honors fallen hero Sarah Beckstrom at Christmas Tree lighting: ‘She’s watching from heaven’

Afghanistan native Rahmanullah Lakanwal was accused of attacking newly sworn-in guardsmen Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Beckstrom, 20
UPDATED DEC 5, 2025
President Donald Trump offered a heartfelt tribute to Sarah Beckstrom (Sarah Beckstrom/Facebook, Pete Marovich/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump offered a heartfelt tribute to Sarah Beckstrom (Sarah Beckstrom/Facebook, Pete Marovich/Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the 103rd National Christmas Tree lighting in Washington on Thursday, December 5. Trump delivered a speech about the event. 

He brought up the two National Guard members who were shot near the White House by a suspected Afghan attacker. Trump also took time to honor Sarah Beckstrom, the fallen hero who lost her life during the White House shooting. He said, “She’s watching from heaven!”

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House Ellipse on December 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 32-foot-tall red spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia's Highland County. This is the second year in a row that the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have provided the tree. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
 Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House Ellipse on December 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 32-foot-tall red spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia's Highland County. This is the second year in a row that the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have provided the tree (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Donald Trump shares heartfelt words for Sarah Beckstrom at the tree lighting ceremony

Sarah Beckstrom volunteered to work Thanksgiving so her squad could be home, hours later she was gunned down in a DC ambush (@EricLDaugh/X)
Sarah Beckstrom volunteered to work Thanksgiving so her squad could be home, hours later she was gunned down in a DC ambush (@EricLDaugh/X)

Trump took a moment to pay respect to the two National Guard members during the event. He said, "I want to pay my highest respects to those two. Great Guardsmen, you know who I'm talking about. In one case, the ultimate and the other Andrew is getting better."

He didn’t hesitate to bring up Sarah Beckstrom's name. He said she "unfortunately, is watching from a high watching from Heaven."

Trump then turned his attention to the families. He said, "Parents are so incredible and Andrew is hopefully getting better. You got hit hard defending us. I just want to pay my respects to them."

He wrapped up his statement by saying, "Two incredible people. Unbelievable people. I spoke with the parents and met the parents today, met the parents of Andrew, and they have spirit, and they love our country so much you wouldn't believe."

Beckstrom and Andrew Wolff were shot by Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, a suspected Afghan immigrant. He is an Afghan national who, according to the CIA, "worked with US forces during the war in Afghanistan."

Beckstrom, 20, lost her life in the shooting. Wolff, 24, survived. This isn’t the first time Donald Trump has spoken about Beckstrom and Wolff. He also shared his condolences on Truth Social right after the incident happened.

Donald and Melania Trump kick off the season with National Christmas Tree lighting 

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House Ellipse on December 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 32-foot-tall red spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia's Highland County. This is the second year in a row that the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have provided the tree. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The tree is a 32-foot-tall red spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia's Highland County (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Donald Trump and Melania Trump attended the National Christmas Tree lighting event in a festive mood. Melania lit the tree. The National Park Service said the tree is a 35-foot red spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.

The Beach Boys, Alana Springsteen, and several other artists performed at the event, as per The National Desk.

Trump also talked about the tree and said, "It's a beauty," while reminding everyone that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. He added, "He brought the grace of God's love into the world and the promise of salvation for every person and every nation."

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

CBS anchor Margaret Brennan stressed that Jonathan Ross’s name was in media reports as she raised questions about transparency and accountability
1 hour ago
'This is a geopolitical decision, and he (the president) is able to use the economic might of the US to avoid a hot war', Scott Bessent stated
2 hours ago
Republicans showed loyalty as approval of leaders stayed firm, but voter motivation lagged Democrats, raising turnout concerns
2 hours ago
Jacob Frey noted 600 local officers versus thousands of ICE and Border Patrol agents, calling the federal presence unprecedented and deeply imbalanced
3 hours ago
Polls showed President Trump's approval rating on immigration at its second-term lowest, though still above his weaker economic ratings on inflation
4 hours ago
Bill Cassidy vowed reelection despite Trump's shift, insisting he would win and pointing to his record as a principled conservative for Louisiana
5 hours ago
Gavin Newsom stumbled and appeared to deflect as Ben Shapiro pressed him on gender, exposing political discomfort on a divisive issue
12 hours ago
Sean Hannity challenged Shri Thanedar over his refusal to stand while grieving families were acknowledged from the House gallery
13 hours ago
Anti-ICE protesters apparently shouted insults and blew whistles at the civilians they mistook for ICE agents as they tried to exit the restaurant
13 hours ago
Tim Dillon reacted to footage from the American Humane Society’s 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards Gala, which took place at Trump’s Florida estate on Jan 9
14 hours ago