Noem claims National Guard shooting suspect was 'radicalized' within the U.S.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated on NBC News Meet the Press that authorities suspect the individual involved in the National Guard shooting became radicalized while living in the United States. She added that the asylum process for migrants would resume once the administration resolves the backlog of applications under revised criteria following the incident.

President Donald Trump announced last week that he would implement a permanent pause on migration from certain countries after the shooter was identified as an Afghan national. NBC News previously reported that the suspect received asylum earlier this year.

Noem commented that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was radicalized since hes been here in this country and suggested that this radicalization was influenced by contacts within his local community. We will continue discussions with those who interacted with him, she added.

During an interview on ABC News "This Week," Noem reiterated that the suspect "could have been radicalized" in the U.S. Lakanwal, who served alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan, arrived in the United States in 2021 under the Biden administration but was granted asylum during the Trump administration. Lakanwal is expected to face first-degree murder charges, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

The shooting resulted in the death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, while Andrew Wolfe remains hospitalized. When asked about the asylum vetting process under the Trump administration, Noem claimed that initial screenings occurred upon entry but were completely abandoned under Joe Bidens administration. She maintained that the vetting for asylum was conducted during the Biden administration.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in an interview on "Fox News Sunday," stated there was "minimal to little vetting" for individuals admitted under Bidens Operation Allies Welcome program. However, the Trump administration has not presented evidence suggesting that the Biden administration neglected thorough checks. NBC News noted that the suspect was part of a highly vetted group of Afghans who collaborated with U.S. forces and underwent an additional vetting process when applying for asylum. He was officially granted asylum in April during the Trump administration. The Biden administration has not immediately commented.

Senator Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., criticized the Trump administration on Meet the Press, saying it will blame Joe Biden on everything. He also noted that while vetting may have occurred under the previous administration, it was insufficient before the suspect received asylum. Kelly acknowledged Noems plan to revise the vetting process as a potentially positive measure.

Last week, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on X that USCIS has paused all asylum decisions to ensure that every applicant is thoroughly vetted and screened. Noem confirmed that the asylum process would restart after the backlog is addressed, following Trump administration standards. Individuals under this program must meet our standards; if they do not, they will be removed immediately, she said. When questioned about deporting those with pending asylum claims, Noem affirmed, We will if they should be.

Author: Sophia Brooks