Van Hollen finds 'no evidence' of vetting system failures in Afghan shooting suspect's case

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) stated on Sunday that there is no proof linking the Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., to inadequate vetting procedures. During an interview on ABC News's This Week, host Jonathan Karl asked if the senator was worried that this event might indicate broader lapses in screening processes.

We should always assess our vetting procedures, Van Hollen replied. However, in this situation, there is no indication that any step was overlooked.

He referred to comments by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who suggested that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, may have become radicalized after arriving in the U.S. in 2021 through a Biden-era initiative aimed at resettling Afghans who assisted the U.S. during its two-decade presence in Afghanistan. Lakanwal had previously served in the CIA-trained strike force in Afghanistan, a role that required thorough vetting, and was officially granted asylum in April under the Trump administration.

As Secretary Noem noted, his radicalization could have occurred here. If that is the case, the latest vetting was conducted by the Trump administration, Van Hollen added.

Author: Sophia Brooks