Investigation into Afghan National’s Radicalization After Shooting
Federal authorities are examining the case of an Afghan man who fatally shot two National Guardsmen, looking into whether he became radicalized after arriving in the U.S. This scrutiny comes even after he passed security checks during both the Biden and Trump administrations.
Rahmanullah Rakanwal managed to clear the vetting process when he entered the country amid President Biden’s chaotic exit from Kabul in 2021 and later secured asylum during the Trump administration.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “You can scrutinize what people did in the past, but you can’t scrutinize what people will do in the future.”
Investigators are exploring the four-year period since Rakanwal arrived and what might have led him to drive across the country and shoot two National Guardsmen in a premeditated attack near the White House.
The 29-year-old reportedly shouted “Allah Akbar!” before attacking soldiers from West Virginia. He has been charged with the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and seriously injuring Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24.
In response to the attack, the Trump administration initiated measures to limit asylum applications and suspend visas for Afghans while halting entries from numerous countries. However, authorities believe Rakanwal’s radicalization might have occurred after his arrival in the U.S., a shift that may not have been detectable through initial vetting.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commented, “We believe he has become more radicalized since he came to this country” and indicated that conversations with his community connections were ongoing.
Rakanwal was eventually killed by a fellow National Guard member during the incident. Afterward, he appeared in court via video from his hospital bed, pleading not guilty while claiming significant pain prevented him from seeing properly.
Rubio noted that some newcomers to the U.S. may have no history of radicalization prior to arrival, yet they still face risks once they settle here.
During his time in Afghanistan, Rakanwal had connections with a controversial paramilitary group linked to the CIA, known for serious human rights violations.
He entered the U.S. on September 8, 2021, through a program aimed at resettling Afghans after the Taliban takeover, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
A former intelligence official explained that Rakanwal had “no criminal history,” making it challenging to pursue any legal action against him. “We still don’t know why he snapped,” they added.
Rakanwal, a father of five, allegedly drove from Seattle to D.C. before launching an ambush on the National Guardsmen. Investigators have since searched his Washington state apartment but have yet to disclose any motive or manifesto explaining his attack on U.S. troops.
Reports have suggested that financial struggles and the recent death of a respected Afghan commander might have contributed to his mental distress. Additionally, there were claims that a Taliban contingent threatened families to compel them to confront U.S. forces in Afghanistan, though these assertions remain unverified.
The FBI has chosen not to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
