Who Vetted the Afghan Shooting Suspect? A Look at the Facts

A recent shooting in Washington, D.C., has ignited a heated debate about immigration policies. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome. This program was created by President Joe Biden to assist Afghans who had collaborated with the U.S. government during the war in Afghanistan.

Key Details

• Asylum Granted: Lakanwal was granted asylum in April 2024, under President Donald Trump's administration.
• Vetting Process: The vetting involved multiple U.S. agencies, including counter-terrorism and intelligence agencies.
• No Criminal History: Lakanwal had worked with U.S. government partners in Afghanistan and had no known criminal history.

Political Fallout

FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro claimed that Lakanwal was not properly vetted, but they provided no evidence to support this. Donald Trump has used this incident to push for stricter immigration policies, including a re-examination of all Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.

Broader Implications

The incident has reignited criticism of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The rushed evacuations have raised concerns about potential terrorists entering the U.S.