On Sunday, Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, made headlines by alleging that the suspect involved in the recent National Guard shooting in Washington, D.C., had been “radicalized” in the United States. This controversial statement comes amidst a broader political narrative where Noem attributes responsibility to the Biden administration, despite the fact that the suspect’s asylum was granted during the Trump era.
The individual accused in the shooting is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old who was granted asylum in April 2025 under the Trump administration. Lakanwal had previously worked with CIA-backed units in Afghanistan and arrived in the United States in September 2021 through the Operation Allies Welcome program. During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Noem stated, “We believe he was radicalized since he’s been here in this country,” indicating a belief that his radicalization was influenced by connections within his local community.
The situation has reignited discussions regarding immigration policy and national security. Noem utilized the incident as justification for the Trump administration's previous moves to halt and reevaluate asylum and green card applications. She criticized the current administration, claiming, “vetting is happening when they come into the country, and that was completely abandoned under Joe Biden’s administration.” Furthermore, she accused the Biden administration of mishandling vetting processes, stating, “All that vetting information was collected by Joe Biden’s administration.”
In addition to her comments on the shooting, Noem faced questions regarding her decision to continue deportation flights to El Salvador. She has been under scrutiny for allegedly defying a judge’s order concerning these flights. During her appearance on NBC, Noem asserted, “We’ll continue to do the right thing, continue to work and protect Americans, no matter what radical judge comes out and tries to stop us.”
Noem also confirmed her authority in making the decision to proceed with deportation flights for Venezuelan immigrants earlier this year, reinforcing her stance by saying, “Yes, I made that decision and that decision was under my complete authority and following the law and the constitution.” She characterized the judge as an “activist” and expressed her commitment to protecting American citizens from “dangerous criminal terrorists and gangs.”
The legal backdrop to this situation involves a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who had ordered deportation flights already in transit to return to the U.S. in March 2025. However, Noem's administration continued these flights, arguing that the detainees were no longer within U.S. jurisdiction. The Department of Justice has stated that Noem’s actions did not violate the judge's order, adding another layer to this contentious issue.
This incident highlights the ongoing clash between immigration policy and national security in the U.S., as well as the political ramifications that arise from high-profile cases of violence linked to immigration. As the situation develops, both the Biden administration and Noem's office are likely to engage in further discussions and debates regarding their respective roles in managing national security and immigration.