AMBUSH Near White House — CIA Blunder EXPOSED

White House with fountain and red flowers

Two National Guard members ambushed by an Afghan national with past CIA ties will receive Purple Hearts, marking a rare domestic terrorism recognition that exposes the deadly consequences of failed immigration vetting during the Biden era.

Story Highlights

U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom killed and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe critically wounded in November 2025 ambush near White House
Attacker Rahmanullah Lakanwal, former CIA collaborator who entered U.S. in 2021, faces nine federal charges including first-degree murder
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces Purple Hearts after FBI confirms foreign terrorist propaganda motive
Attack occurred during National Guard deployment to combat D.C. crime emergency declared by President Trump
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey requested honors in December 2025, calling recognition “long-overdue”

Ambush Attack Claims Young Guardsman’s Life

U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were patrolling near Farragut Square Metro Station on November 26, 2025, when Rahmanullah Lakanwal opened fire with a .357 Magnum revolver. Both West Virginia National Guard members suffered head wounds from the 10-15 shots fired in the ambush-style attack, occurring just blocks from the White House. Beckstrom died the following day from her injuries, while Wolfe survived critical wounds and faces skull reconstruction surgery scheduled for March 2026. Other National Guard troops on patrol shot and restrained Lakanwal at the scene.

Afghan National’s Background Raises Security Concerns

Lakanwal, 29, entered the United States in 2021 as a former CIA “zero unit” collaborator during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal that marked the Biden administration’s catastrophic foreign policy failure. Federal prosecutors charged him with nine counts including first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill, seeking death penalty eligibility. He pleaded not guilty on February 4, 2026. The FBI investigation determined Lakanwal was motivated by foreign terrorist propaganda, a finding crucial to qualifying the attack as enemy action required for Purple Heart eligibility. This case underscores the national security risks created by inadequate vetting procedures.

Trump Administration Deploys Guard to Combat D.C. Crime

President Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., in August 2025, deploying 2,654 National Guard troops from 11 states plus D.C. through the Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The 170 West Virginia Guard members were among those patrolling federal parks, buildings, and Metro areas near high-profile sites. This deployment represented the Trump administration’s commitment to restoring law and order after years of rising crime under Democratic leadership. The attack on Beckstrom and Wolfe occurred while they performed this critical domestic security mission, putting them on the front lines defending the nation’s capital from criminal elements and, tragically, terrorism.

Purple Heart Recognition Validates Sacrifice

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on February 6, 2026, during a National Guard reenlistment ceremony at the Washington Monument that both service members would receive Purple Hearts. Hegseth stated they were “attacked by a radical” and confirmed their status as “soon to be Purple Heart recipients.” West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who formally requested the honors on December 19, 2025, called it a “long-overdue honor” and pledged that “West Virginia will never forget.” The awards set a significant precedent for Purple Hearts in domestic terrorism cases, echoing the 2015 Chattanooga shootings where similar FBI terrorism determinations enabled the honors.

Recovery and Justice Move Forward

Staff Sgt. Wolfe continues recovering from his severe head injuries, posting thanks online to supporters while preparing for complex skull reconstruction surgery in March 2026. His family has remained vocal in supporting both the Purple Heart recognition and calls for justice. Meanwhile, Lakanwal remains detained awaiting trial on charges that could result in the death penalty. The National Guard deployment continues through 2026, with over 100 Guardsmen from nine states reenlisting during the ceremony where Hegseth made his announcement. This tragedy highlights both the valor of our service members and the ongoing threats facing those protecting American communities from the consequences of lax border security and failed immigration policies.