Donald Trump criticized Afghan refugees, Somali immigrants, and Joe Biden following an incident where two National Guard troops were shot in Washington DC. However, his accusations have a significant flaw.
The US President pointed fingers at 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who entered the country under Operation Allies Welcome after the fall of Kabul in 2021. Trump claimed that Lakanwal was brought in by the Biden administration in September 2021 without proper vetting. He blamed Biden for extending Lakanwal’s status through legislation and labeled him as a disastrous president.
Trump emphasized that allowing unknown and unvetted foreigners into the country poses a severe national security risk. He singled out the previous administration for admitting millions of foreigners from various places worldwide, which he deemed threatening to the nation’s survival.
In a surprising turn, Trump targeted the Somali community in Minnesota despite their lack of involvement in the shooting incident. He accused them of exploiting the country and causing financial losses, portraying them in a negative light.
Furthermore, Trump hinted at escalating deportations in response to the shooting, even targeting individuals legally residing in the country. He called for a thorough review of all aliens entering the US from Afghanistan under Biden’s administration and advocated for removing those deemed unfit or non-contributory to the nation.
While it is true that Lakanwal entered the US as a refugee during the Biden administration, he was granted asylum after Trump assumed office. Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024, and his application was approved by the Department of Homeland Security in April 2025, with a pending green card application for permanent residency.
The identities and conditions of the wounded troops have not been officially disclosed. Initially, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey reported the deaths of two Guard members from his state but later retracted the statement due to conflicting reports. The two Guard members were part of the deployment to DC during Trump’s initiative to address perceived crime issues, despite crime rates being lower compared to the previous year.