Indictment in D.C. National Guard Shooting
Rahmanullah Rakanwal, an Afghan national, has been officially charged with the tragic shootings of National Guardsmen Andrew Wolf and Sara Beckstrom outside a subway station in Washington, D.C., last week. Reports state that Rakanwal shot and killed Beckstrom, while Wolf is currently recovering. Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that the Justice Department aims to pursue the death penalty in this case.
As Rakanwal faces the court, a larger discussion is unfolding regarding who truly bears responsibility for this incident—the shooter or President Donald Trump. In the aftermath of the shooting, many on the left quickly shifted blame toward Trump.
Critics assert that the president’s deployment of the National Guard was merely a political maneuver, unnecessarily placing service members like Wolf and Beckstrom in danger. For instance, the San Francisco Chronicle mentioned that the shooting followed “months of warnings that the deployment would inflame tensions.” Shortly after the incident, Trump himself labeled the National Guard’s deployment a “political show,” suggesting that the “poor security guard should never have been deployed.”
Taking a Closer Look
Contrary to claims that the National Guard’s deployment was insignificant, it actually contributed to a decrease in crime in Washington, D.C., a city notorious for its violence. The actions of Rakanwal should be attributed primarily to him and also, somewhat, to the Biden administration, which allowed his entry into the U.S. in 2021 amid the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
There’s no doubt that D.C. faces significant violence issues, despite what critics of Trump may suggest. The city’s current homicide rate is still 70% higher than it was at its lowest in 2014. Recent data for 2024 shows that Washington, D.C., has a murder rate exceeding that of cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia. My own findings suggest that violent crime is concentrated most heavily in the poorer, minority communities of the district, with 95% of murder victims being black, and 92% male.
Effects of the National Guard’s Presence
The presence of the National Guard definitely seems to have subdued violence. Crime researcher Jeff Asher observed a noticeable decline in shootings since their deployment. This mirrors what was seen in Memphis, Tennessee, during a similar deployment.
Some on the left may dismiss the guards as being merely for a spectacle, but it’s pretty clear that having armed personnel can deter crime and alleviate pressure on already strained police forces. Those genuinely concerned about the safety of D.C.’s underprivileged communities should recognize the value of this intervention.
A Complex Landscape
Furthermore, available evidence suggests that Rakanwal’s actions were not influenced by the presence of the National Guard. Early indications point to a picture of a distressed individual who was permitted entry through a hastily implemented vetting process after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Recent information indicates that Rakanwal had previously worked for the CIA in Afghanistan and was evacuated under Operation Welcoming Allies, a resettlement initiative by the Biden administration. While there were supposed vetting processes by both the CIA and the government, it seems Lakhanwal managed to slip through the cracks. Reports show he faced challenges with assimilation and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with a history of unstable behavior.
While ultimately, Rakanwal is responsible for the alleged shootings, one can’t overlook the failures in the vetting process that allowed potentially dangerous individuals into the country. He exemplifies the broader concerns regarding immigration under the current administration.
The National Guard’s deployment was a necessary measure to combat rising crime rates, not a vain show. To claim otherwise undermines the sacrifices made by Staff Sgt. Wolf, Spc. Beckstrom, and all those in law enforcement who risk their lives daily.
