Washington (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Following the shooting of two National Guard reservists in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump condemned the act as “an act of evil and terror” and vowed an intensified crackdown on immigration, particularly focusing on Afghan nationals. Trump also ordered deployment of an additional 500 National Guard members to the capital as part of a broader law enforcement and national security response.
Shooting of National Guard Members in Washington
As reported by CNN journalists, two reservists from the West Virginia National Guard were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, November 26, 2025. The suspect, identified by President Trump as an Afghan national, was apprehended and is currently in custody with injuries sustained during the incident. The shooting occurred blocks from the White House and was swiftly labelled by Washington mayor Muriel Bowser as a targeted attack. President Trump described the shooting as “an act of evil and an act of terror” during a video address from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Trump’s Response and Immigration Crackdown
In a rapid political response, Trump used the shooting to advocate for a much tougher immigration policy. During his address, he criticised the Biden administration, claiming they were responsible for allowing the alleged shooter into the United States following the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Trump stated this incident “highlights the most significant national security threat facing our country.” He pledged to “reexamine every alien” who has entered the U.S. from Afghanistan over the past four years and promised expedited immigration case reviews.
Stephen Miller, senior adviser at the White House, reinforced this message on Fox News, declaring that illegal immigrants would be removed automatically while those with refugee or asylum status must “prove their value to this country or be sent away.” The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a halt to processing immigration cases involving Afghan nationals, pending further review ordered by the Trump administration.
National Guard Deployment and Legal Controversy
President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., adding to the approximate 2,200 Guard members already stationed there as part of Trump’s contentious plan to use troops in urban law enforcement roles. The deployment has faced legal challenges; a federal judge ordered removal of the Guard troops pending appeal, which Trump’s administration is actively contesting through emergency court filings.
The National Guard’s presence in Washington is part of Trump’s broader strategy to combat what he describes as “crime-ridden” cities run by Democratic mayors, placing local police under federal oversight and mobilising officers from multiple agencies. Trump has positioned this deployment as critical to restoring law and order.
Political Implications and Criticism
Political analysts have noted Trump’s quick pivot from condemning the shooting to making it a focal point for immigration policy, intensifying the national debate over immigration and border security. Critics argue that Trump’s approach may worsen fear and mistrust among immigrant communities who have risked much to assist U.S. efforts abroad. Questions have been raised regarding intelligence and immigration processing lapses during both the Biden and Trump administrations in relation to the suspect.
Trump’s strong rhetoric included harsh characterisations of Afghanistan, describing the country as “a hellhole on Earth” and blaming the Biden administration for lax migration policies that he says constitute the “single greatest national security threat facing our nation.” This language has further polarised public opinion.
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