National Guard Soldier Dead After DC Ambush; Trump Calls for 'Reverse Migration'

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Nov 28, 2025

Join Alexander Pearson, Bloomberg's Washington D.C. breaking news editor, as he delves into a tragic shooting incident involving National Guard members near the White House. The suspect, an Afghan national with past ties to U.S. forces, raised critical questions about security and immigration vetting. Additionally, Pearson unpacks President Trump's controversial call for 'reverse migration,' outlining potential immigration policy changes and the implications for naturalized citizens. Tune in for an insightful analysis of these pressing issues.

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ANECDOTE

Death Of A National Guard Member

Sarah Beckstrom, a West Virginia National Guard member shot near the White House, died after being critically wounded.
Nathan Hager and Lisa Mateo reported President Trump announced her death during a Thanksgiving call with service members.

INSIGHT

Suspect Had Prior U.S. Affiliations

The suspect was identified as Rahmanullah Lackanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who worked with US forces and the CIA before arriving in 2021.
Alexander Pearson noted his prior vetting makes motives and security questions more complex in this case.

INSIGHT

Hong Kong Fire Spurs Safety Scrutiny

At least 128 people died in a Hong Kong residential fire, prompting scrutiny of safety enforcement and construction materials.
Officials are conducting apartment-by-apartment checks amid arrests of engineering company figures on manslaughter suspicions.

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On today's podcast:
1) One member of the West Virginia National Guard who was shot in the attack near the White House in Washington, DC, died after being in critical condition, President Trump said Thursday. US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, originally from Webster Springs, West Virginia, died after being shot Wednesday. US Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. Federal authorities have identified the suspected shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who previously worked with US forces and the CIA in Afghanistan before arriving in the US in 2021. He was subdued shortly after the shooting and taken into custody. Trump said he is in serious condition.
2) President Trump called for “reverse migration” in the US as he outlined a series of potential measures to crack down on immigration, including halting admissions from unspecified developing nations and revoking citizenship from some naturalized migrants. In a pair of Truth Social posts late Thursday that disparaged many US immigrants, Trump said he would “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries” and “denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility.” Trump offered no details on how he would implement these policies or what he considers a “third world” country, an ill-defined and often offensive term for developing nations. Congress for years has failed to pass major immigration reforms, and courts have blocked some of his previous executive orders limiting immigration.
3) Washington's proposals for ending the war in Ukraine could be the basis for future agreements, but no final version exists yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, while signaling an openness to talks. The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to visit Moscow next week and meet with Putin, as President Trump continues his push for a resolution to Moscow’s nearly four-year-old invasion of Ukraine. Trump on Tuesday said there was “tremendous progress” made over the past week on his peace proposal, the original draft of which drew the ire of Ukrainians and Europeans.

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