Shooter in D.C. Had CIA Ties, Worked in Afghanistan

An Afghan national, accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan before relocating to the United States. The incident took place earlier this week, resulting in heightened scrutiny of the resettlement process for Afghan refugees following the U.S. withdrawal in March 2021.

The accused shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was among approximately 76,000 Afghans evacuated to the U.S. after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. This operation, known as Operation Allies Welcome, aimed to provide refuge to those who aided U.S. military efforts during the two-decade conflict. President Joe Biden, who oversaw the withdrawal initiated by his predecessor, Donald Trump, emphasized the moral obligation to protect interpreters, translators, and other supporters of U.S. operations.

Despite this, critics, including Trump and several Republican officials, expressed concerns over the vetting process for refugees, claiming that it was chaotic and insufficient. CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated, “This individual — and so many others — should have never been allowed to come here. Our citizens and servicemembers deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden Administration’s catastrophic failures.”

Background of the Accused Shooter

Lakanwal reportedly worked with the CIA as a member of a partner force in the Kandahar region, a hotspot for conflict during the U.S. invasion in 2001. The CIA depended on Afghan personnel for critical roles, including translation and frontline support. The specific details of Lakanwal’s work with the agency remain undisclosed.

After arriving in the U.S., little information has emerged regarding Lakanwal’s life in Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children. He was granted asylum in April 2021, a process which typically includes thorough background checks, fingerprinting, and iris scans, as noted by #AfghanEvac, a group advocating for Afghan refugees.

Response to the Shooting and Refugee Resettlement

The shooting incident has reignited debates surrounding the resettlement of Afghan refugees. Advocates argue that the actions of a single individual should not tarnish the reputation of the many who have successfully navigated the legal pathways to safety. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, urged against using this tragedy as a political tool, stating, “I don’t want people to leverage this tragedy into a political ploy.”

Following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, many refugees were temporarily housed in military installations across the U.S., including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. After undergoing health screenings and background checks, many were resettled in communities primarily located in Northern Virginia, California, Texas, and several other states.

The resettlement process faced additional challenges after Trump issued an executive order suspending federal funding for resettlement agencies. This decision complicated efforts to provide essential resources for refugees.

Trump has since reiterated his intention to review the backgrounds of all individuals who entered the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome, asserting, “If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.”

As the situation evolves, the case of Lakanwal and the subsequent response to the shooting will continue to shape discussions about Afghan refugees and national security.