Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Lakanwal “was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States,” repeating a long-cited criticism of many Republicans, who argue the withdrawal—and subsequent evacuation and resettling of the Afghan nationals—in 2021 was rushed.

President Trump said the suspected shooter came to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021. The administration plans to send 500 more Guard personnel to the nation's capital in response to the attack.

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in Washington about two blocks from the White House.

Staff Sgt. Jacob Hill, with the Alabama National Guard, died while assigned to the Washington, D.C., mission earlier this month.