National Guard Targeted Attack Near White House Stuns Thanksgiving Nation

Two National Guard members were shot in a deliberate attack in Washington D.C. The assault happened on Thanksgiving Day. It occurred just blocks from the White House.

The incident is being investigated as terrorism. It triggered a major security alert. According to Reuters, the suspect is a resettled Afghan national.

Thanksgiving Ambush: Details of the Attack

The soldiers were critically wounded near 17th and I Streets. They are identified as Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe. Both are members of the West Virginia National Guard.

The suspect is Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He is 29 years old. Authorities say he drove from Washington State to carry out the attack.

Lakanwal faces serious assault charges. He was also shot and remains hospitalized. Heavy security surrounds his medical care.

United States Attorney Jeanine Pirro called it a “targeted ambush.” The CIA confirmed the suspect previously worked with a U.S.-backed unit. He was resettled in America in 2021.

Political Fallout and Security Review

President Donald Trump addressed the nation. He labeled the shooting an act of terror. He demanded a full review of Afghan nationals admitted under a special program.

The program is called Operation Allies Welcome. It brought thousands of Afghans to America. The attack has ignited a fierce debate over vetting procedures.

A federal court recently ruled the ongoing National Guard deployment in D.C. illegal. That ruling is currently on hold. Mayor Muriel Bowser supports ending the military presence.

The FBI is leading the investigation. Officials are treating it as a potential terrorism case. The non-profit AfghanEvac urged the public not to blame the wider Afghan ally community.

NBC’s Troubled Thanksgiving Broadcast

As this crisis unfolded, NBC faced a different kind of challenge. Its live broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was plagued by technical failures. Viewers across the country complained loudly on social media.

The video feed was reported as grainy and blurry. Audio was out of sync with the video. Streaming on Peacock and YouTube TV suffered from lagging and choppy playback.

Hosts like Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker carried on professionally. The parade featured new balloons and celebrity performances. But the technical glitches overshadowed the festivities for many at home.

This juxtaposition was stark. NBC was managing breaking news of a national security incident. Simultaneously, its flagship holiday entertainment broadcast was failing technically.

The Thanksgiving Day attack on the National Guard represents a severe security breach with deep political ramifications. This incident, coupled with a major broadcast failure, underscores the complex challenges facing national institutions during times of both crisis and celebration.

Info at your fingertips

Q: Who was attacked near the White House?

Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically injured. Their names are Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe. The assault is being investigated as a targeted terrorist attack.

Q: What is the suspect’s background?

The suspect is an Afghan national named Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He previously worked with a CIA-backed unit in Kandahar. He was resettled in the United States in 2021 after the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Q: What was wrong with the Macy’s Parade broadcast?

NBC’s broadcast had severe technical issues. Viewers reported grainy, blurry video and unsynchronized audio. Streams on Peacock and YouTube TV were also lagging and choppy.

Q: What has been the political response to the shooting?

President Trump called it an act of terror. He has called for a review of all Afghan nationals admitted under Operation Allies Welcome. The incident has reignited debates over security vetting.

Q: Is the National Guard deployment in D.C. legal?

A federal court recently ruled the deployment illegal. That order is temporarily on hold pending an appeal. The city’s mayor has welcomed the court’s decision.

Trusted Sources

Information in this report was gathered from reputable news agencies including Reuters and The Associated Press, along with official statements from federal and local authorities.