CIA-Linked Afghan National Identified as Suspect in Shocking White House Shooting

A chilling new layer of the White House shooting has emerged as U.S. media report that the attacker — a 29-year-old Afghan national — spent years working alongside American intelligence and military agencies, including the CIA itself. The revelation has ignited a political firestorm, national security panic, and renewed scrutiny over the U.S. government’s vetting of foreign allies.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is accused of opening fire on two members of the National Guard near the White House on Tuesday afternoon, leaving both guardsmen in critical condition. According to law enforcement sources, the attack unfolded at approximately 2:15 p.m., sparking chaos in one of the most secure zones in Washington, D.C.

But it’s Lakanwal’s background that has stunned the country.

From U.S. Ally in Afghanistan to Armed Attacker in Washington

U.S. intelligence officials, speaking to multiple outlets including CNN and NBC, confirmed that Lakanwal had worked closely with American special forces and intelligence operatives in Kandahar for years before arriving in the United States. Relatives told NBC that he spent a decade in the Afghan National Army, part of that time stationed directly inside Kandahar’s U.S.-controlled military base.

His entry into the United States came in 2021, during the chaotic evacuation following the Taliban takeover. He was admitted under the Biden administration’s “Welcome Allies” program, designed to relocate vulnerable Afghans who supported American operations. After entry, he applied for asylum — and, according to CNN, his application was approved this April under the Trump administration.

For thousands of Afghan partners who risked their lives to help U.S. forces, the program was meant to be a lifeline. But in the wake of Tuesday’s attack, it has become the center of a fierce political debate.

Former CIA Director: “He Should Never Have Entered the Country”

Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe publicly condemned the decision to admit Lakanwal, saying:
“Individuals like this should never have been allowed into the United States. This was a catastrophic failure in vetting.”

His comments echo a broader wave of criticism from conservative lawmakers who argue that the “Welcome Allies” program introduced serious national security vulnerabilities. Others counter that Lakanwal’s role inside high-security U.S. military operations in Afghanistan indicates that he had already been screened more extensively than most foreign nationals.

But one thing is clear: the FBI is treating the case as a potential act of international terrorism.

Inside the Shooting: What Happened Near the White House

Authorities say Lakanwal opened fire on two National Guard members assigned to the White House perimeter. The guardsmen — both from West Virginia — suffered life-threatening injuries and remain hospitalized in critical condition. During the shootout, Lakanwal himself was wounded, disarmed, and taken into custody under heavy police guard.

D.C. police, Secret Service, and federal counterterrorism units responded within minutes, locking down the surrounding area as sirens echoed across the capital.

FBI Launches Full Terrorism Investigation

The FBI has officially categorized the case as a possible act of international terrorism, triggering a multi-agency investigation into Lakanwal’s motives, contacts, and mental state. Investigators are currently examining:

• his communication history
• past military affiliations
• potential radicalization
• foreign intelligence links
• medical or psychological conditions

Given his work with U.S. forces, authorities are also probing whether he may have experienced trauma, coercion, or ideological shifts following the collapse of Afghanistan.

The Trump Administration Reacts

President Donald Trump condemned the attack in fiery terms, calling it a “monstrous act of terror” and promising that the attacker will “pay the highest possible price.” Trump also demanded an immediate review of all Afghan immigration cases approved since 2021.

Within hours, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it was freezing all pending Afghan-related immigration applications pending further security review.

A National Debate: How Could This Happen?

The incident has reopened deep wounds from America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and raised uncomfortable questions:

• How was someone with U.S. military ties radicalized?
• Was the “Welcome Allies” vetting process compromised?
• Did intelligence agencies miss warning signs?
• Are there more individuals like Lakanwal already inside the country?

Experts warn that the case may be used to justify new restrictions on Afghan refugees, many of whom risked their lives to defend U.S. troops.

As investigators search for answers, two National Guardsmen fight for their lives — and Washington grapples with a terrifying reality:
A man once trusted by American forces became the gunman outside their own White House.