Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has claimed that the suspect accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, DC, may have been radicalised after arriving in the United States and was inadequately vetted under the Biden administration. Noem made the comments during an interview on ABC News’ This Week with Jonathan Karl.
Kristi Noem links the shooting to alleged vetting failures
The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is accused of opening fire on two National Guard members in Washington, DC, last week. Lakanwal, an Afghan national who previously worked with the CIA during the US war in Afghanistan, arrived in the US in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April this year.Noem argued that the Biden administration had allowed Lakanwal into the country without proper screening. She claimed that all information used in his asylum process was gathered under the previous administration and that officials had “not done well” in vetting those brought in through the Afghan evacuation programme. She repeatedly described the suspect as “unvetted” and said responsibility for any oversight “lies with them.” According to Noem, vetting procedures have since been strengthened under President Trump.Noem also claimed that authorities believe Lakanwal “could have been radicalised in his home community and in his home state” after arriving in the US. She did not provide evidence or describe how this alleged radicalisation may have taken place. No intelligence, behavioural history or specific triggers were referenced to support the claim, leaving her remarks broad and largely speculative.Current and former security officials have rejected the accusation that the Afghan evacuee population was brought in without proper screening. Those familiar with Operation Allies Welcome said evacuees were vetted using biometric and biographical checks.The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, and officials have not publicly detailed what may have influenced the suspect’s actions. Noem’s remarks, along with the responses from security experts, underline how questions around vetting and resettlement remain central to the broader discussion as authorities work to establish the full facts.
