President Donald Trump on Wednesday condemned the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House as an “act of terror,” saying the suspect was a migrant from Afghanistan and ordering a sweeping review of Afghans who entered the United States under President Joe Biden.
Speaking from Florida, Trump described the attack—which unfolded just two blocks from the White House—as “an act of evil” and said his administration would “reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan” in recent years.
The soldiers, who were on duty in downtown Washington, were critically wounded when gunfire erupted near Farragut Square, a busy plaza that sits beside offices, restaurants, and one of the city’s central subway stations. Police said the suspect, who was also wounded, was taken into custody.
Witnesses described a sudden burst of gunshots followed by panic. An AFP reporter near the square said she heard “several loud pops” before crowds scattered. Angela Perry, who was waiting at a traffic light with her children, told reporters that she saw National Guard members sprinting toward the metro station “with their weapons drawn.”
Emergency responders transported three gunshot victims from the scene. Secret Service agents were seen behind yellow police tape with weapons raised as officers swept the area.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged the public on X to pray for the two guardsmen, calling the shooting “tragic.”
The attack quickly drew political attention, especially as Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Democratic-run cities—including Washington, Los Angeles, and Memphis—as part of his campaign to combat violent crime and intensify enforcement against undocumented migrants.
On Truth Social, Trump referred to the suspected gunman in harsh terms, saying the individual “will pay avery steep price,” regardless of his medical condition.
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The episode reignited debate over Trump’s aggressive use of the National Guard in major urban centers and his sharp rhetoric on immigration. While details surrounding the suspect’s background and motives remained scarce, the president’s framing of the shooting as terrorism signaled that the incident will likely feed into broader political battles over security, migration, and federal intervention in local policing.
As investigations continue, authorities have not provided updates on the victims’ conditions or whether the shooting is believed to be linked to extremist intent, criminal activity, or a separate local dispute. For now, Washington is left grappling with an unsettling burst of violence in its political heart.