Senator Mark Kelly Criticizes Trump's Reaction to National Guard Shooting as Discriminatory Against People of Color

Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) responded to President Donald Trumps intensifying immigration restrictions following an ambush that targeted two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., linked to an Afghan national.

During an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker asked Kelly about Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem defending Trumps plan to permanently pause migration from all third-world countries.

First, what happened to Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom was horrific, Kelly stated. It should never happen. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. It was a terrible tragedy.

Beckstrom died on Thursday, while Wolfe remains in critical condition. The attack occurred Wednesday, just a few blocks from the White House. The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had relocated to the U.S. to serve in a CIA-supported Afghan Army unit. Following the incident, the Trump administration announced a suspension of all asylum approvals.

Lakanwal faces charges including assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro indicated the charges might be escalated, stating the hope that murder charges would not be necessary.

Kelly criticized the administrations response, saying it sent a message that they dont want brown people coming to the United States by halting immigration from developing nations. He described the policy as disturbing and emphasized that America has traditionally provided refuge to those fleeing famine and violence. Altering this would fundamentally change our nations character, Kelly said.

The senator is also involved in a separate dispute with Trump. Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers released a video encouraging military personnel to refuse illegal orders. Trump condemned the video, calling the lawmakers traitors and suggesting sedition charges.

On Thanksgiving, Trump announced on Truth Social that he would increase his immigration restrictions following Beckstroms death: I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, he wrote.

Trump also criticized former President Joe Biden for past asylum admissions, promising to terminate millions of them. In an interview with Welker, Noem stated that Lakanwal, who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 under Biden, had been radicalized domestically. She added that vetting processes were abandoned under the Biden administration.

Kellys comments highlighted the tension between the administrations new immigration policies and the nations historic openness to refugees and immigrants.

Author: Sophia Brooks