NOEM says National Guard shooting suspect could have been radicalized in US

Monday, December 1, 2025 -Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has publicly asserted that the suspect in the deadly shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. may have been radicalized after arriving in the United States. 

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan immigrant who entered the U.S. in 2021 through a resettlement program, was granted asylum in April 2025.

According to Noem, authorities believe Lakanwal’s radicalization occurred while he was living in the U.S., likely influenced by “connections in his home community and state.” She indicated that investigators are interviewing family members and acquaintances to gather evidence. 

In response to the shooting, the current administration has halted and is reviewing asylum and immigration approvals, citing concerns over existing vetting procedures.

Noem’s statement has intensified the debate over immigration policy and refugee vetting — especially for individuals arriving under evacuation and asylum programs. 

While she claims the suspect was “radicalized since he’s been here in this country,” critics warn that such claims require thorough investigation and concrete evidence before being used to justify sweeping policy changes.