Former United States President Barack Obama on Thursday condemned the attack near the White House that critically injured 2 National Guardsmen. He stressed that violence has no place in America and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. Several people were shot on Wednesday in downtown Washington, DC, including at least two members of the US National Guard troops. The shooting occurred near the White House, and an Afghan national, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been detained as the suspect.
Here’s what Barack Obama said:
In a post on X, Obama wrote, “Violence has no place in America. Michelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances.”
Violence has no place in America. Michelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 27, 2025
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Trump calls the incident ‘An act of terror’
Trump, while delivering his remarks on the horrific incident, said, “This heinous assault was an act of evil, hatred, and terror.” He vowed to have his administration “re-examine every single alien” who entered the United States from Afghanistan under former US President Joe Biden. Trump also announced that he is determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated the atrocity ‘pays the steepest possible price’. He called the Afghan suspect of the DC shooting in custody, who entered the US, a “hellhole on Earth.”
While briefing the media on Thursday, Trump said, “Earlier today, on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, two members of the National Guard serving in Washington, DC, were shot at point-blank range in a monstrous ambush-style attack just steps away from the White House… This heinous assault was an act of evil, hatred, and terror. It was a crime against our entire nation and humanity. The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families… As we are filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot, we’re also filled with righteous anger and ferocious resolve.”
