The Daily The Fallout From the National Guard Shooting
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Dec 1, 2025 
Hamed Aleaziz, a Times correspondent specializing in Homeland Security and immigration policy, dives into the shocking incident involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who shot two National Guard members. He reveals Lakanwal's troubled past in a CIA-backed unit, discusses the sweeping changes to U.S. immigration policy triggered by the event, and explores the implications for Afghan allies and veterans. The discussion also covers the complexities of vetting processes and the political fallout surrounding the incident.
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Veteran Of CIA‑Backed Unit With Trauma
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal was recruited into a CIA-backed Zero Unit that hunted Taliban leaders and was highly vetted by the U.S. government.
- Hamed Aleaziz emphasizes he experienced trauma and mental-health struggles from his role despite allegations of extrajudicial killings.
From Bellingham To Asylum In 2024
- Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome in September 2021 and lived in Bellingham, Washington with his wife and five children.
- He later gained asylum in April under the Trump administration and began a pathway to permanent status.
Downtown Shooting Near The White House
- While walking near a bus stop downtown, Lakanwal shot two National Guard members, critically wounding one and later killing Sarah Beckstrom.
- The shooting occurred about a block or two from the White House on a busy sidewalk.