Why Trump Can't Escape Blame for D.C. Shooting

President Donald Trump entered the Mar-a-Lago ballroom like a victorious leader, greeted by the iconic 1980s song “We Are the World.” The track, originally created to raise awareness for famine relief in Africa, was an ironic backdrop to Trump’s actions that had significantly reduced funding for USAID and led to widespread suffering in developing nations. The event took place in a lively, festive setting filled with Thanksgiving food, much of which went uneaten.

As the night progressed, Trump showcased his signature dance moves, awkwardly moving his elbows close to his ribs, his cankles swollen, and his fists raised in a display of triumph. Even his performance to “YMCA” was all about claiming victory.

Despite not consuming alcohol, Trump woke up on Black Friday with a severe headache that no remedy could fix. His attempt to label Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan veteran who shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., as a terrorist was misleading. Lakanwal, a 29-year-old soldier who worked with the CIA in Afghanistan, had helped U.S. troops during their evacuation from Kabul Airport before being brought to the United States.

According to reports, he should have been allowed to stay in the country under normal vetting procedures. Any issues in the immigration process occurred under Trump’s administration, not Biden’s. The tragic death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and the injury of her colleague Andrew Wolfe, 24, left their families in mourning.

Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C., may have contributed to the violence, as the soldiers became targets rather than protectors. Despite his claims of making the city safer, a Reuters review showed that while some crimes, particularly gun-related offenses, decreased, overall violent crime remained largely unchanged.

The recent shooting has not stopped Trump from insisting that he made the nation safer. However, he faces challenges in shifting blame for the incident onto the Biden administration. He has consistently criticized the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, using it as a reason to deflect responsibility for the events in Washington.

Lakanwal’s case is more complex than simply blaming the previous administration. His former military commander revealed that he was part of the Kandahar Strike Force, known as the Scorpion Forces, which operated under the CIA. Lakanwal helped U.S. forces during their evacuation and protected the airport for six days before being airlifted to the United States.

Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome provided sanctuary for 77,000 Afghan refugees, including Lakanwal. He was admitted to the U.S. on humanitarian grounds through a parole program, allowing him to live and work legally. However, he did not apply for asylum until December 2024.

FBI Director Kash Patel claimed that Lakanwal was wrongly allowed into the country due to a lack of background checks. However, Trump was still in the White House when Lakanwal was permitted to stay in the U.S. in April this year. He had no criminal record at the time, though he had not yet received a Green Card.

In response to the shooting, Trump demanded a re-examination of all Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. His team suspended immigration applications from Afghans, claiming that Biden’s policies allowed unvetted individuals into the country.

This move is seen as a political tactic to shift blame, aligning with Trump’s broader narrative on immigration. However, the issue extends beyond the current administration, rooted in the West’s long-standing conflict with the Taliban.

One year ago, Trump was celebrating with Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago, anticipating his return to the presidency. Now, he claims to have resolved numerous issues, from wars to illegal immigration and even the price of eggs. Yet, over 2,459 Americans and 200,000 Afghans lost their lives in the war.

America’s involvement in Afghanistan spans multiple administrations, from Bush to Obama, Trump, and Biden. Blame is shared across the board. It is inappropriate for a president to celebrate on the graves of those who died. The war was complex and had troubling outcomes.

It is not the time for political maneuvering. The focus should be on understanding the broader implications of the conflict and addressing its lasting consequences.