President Trump Honors Shooting Survivors at State of the Union

During the State of the Union address, President Donald Trump awarded the Purple Heart to Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and the late Sarah Beckstrom, a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard.

These honors were given to Wolfe and Beckstrom, who were shot near Farragut Square in Washington, D.C., back in November 2025. Tragically, Beckstrom was just 20 years old when she succumbed to her injuries the following day. Wolfe, on the other hand, underwent emergency surgery for a serious head wound right after the incident and was initially listed in critical condition. Thankfully, by December, he could walk again, albeit with some assistance.

In his speech, Trump described the accused shooter, Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, as a “terrorist monster,” claiming he acted with “deliberate, premeditated malice” against the National Guard members.

Beckstrom’s parents were present as Trump honored their daughter, referring to her as a “true American patriot,” which drew considerable applause from the audience.

“We love you all. Love you,” Trump told Sgt. Wolfe and Beckstrom’s family.

Later in the address, Trump invited West Virginia Adjutant General Jim Seward to present the Purple Heart to Wolfe.