In the wake of the tragic shooting involving two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., the suspect, identified as an Afghan national, has sparked urgent inquiries regarding his motives, his entry into the United States, and the thoroughness of any background checks conducted.

On Sunday, Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker to address these issues, covering both the specifics of the shooting and the broader implications for the asylum process.

During the segment, Welker began by seeking updates on the investigation, focusing on any insights into the suspect’s motivations.

Probing further, Welker inquired if the suspect might have acted alone or with accomplices. Noem disclosed a significant finding: it is believed the suspect may have undergone radicalization after arriving in the U.S.

.@Sec_Noem on the National Guard attacker: “We know that this individual came into the country under Operation Allies Welcome during the Biden Administration and that disastrous withdrawal… We’re going to use every tool at our disposal to bring him to justice.” pic.twitter.com/l3UcH7EBbN

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 30, 2025

KRISTEN WELKER: Thank you so much for being here at the conclusion of just a devastating week. I do want to start with the investigation into the attack on those two Guards members. What is the latest you can tell us about the attack, The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, and what you have learned about the motive, Madam Secretary?

SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM: Well, we know that this individual came into the country under Operation Allies Welcome, and during the Biden administration, and that disastrous withdrawal that we all watched unfold in 2021. He’s been in this country and was in the Washington State area. We do know that we’re talking to his contacts and going through information, continuing to gather that as we go forward. But we’re going to use every tool at our disposable (SIC) to bring him to justice, and make him pay for what he has done not just to America, but how he’s devastated these families and taken the life of one of our soldiers, and devastatingly injured another one that we’re still praying for each and every day. My heart goes out to Andrew and Sarah’s families. I can’t imagine what they’re going through. And President Trump is absolutely dedicated to making sure that he’s bringing this individual to justice, and anyone that he would’ve talked to. Anyone that he knows that would have known about this plan and this attack, he will absolutely bring in, and there will be consequences, and they will pay.

Welker followed up with another question about motive and whether the suspect is believed to have acted alone. Noem, in response, shared the notable revelation that authorities believe the suspect was radicalized since he entered the U.S.

.@Sec_Noem on the National Guards attacker: “We believe he was radicalized since he has been here in this country. We do believe that it was through connections in his home community and state… Unvetted by Joe Biden, allowed to run free.” pic.twitter.com/6X2YtMMmTl

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 30, 2025

KRISTEN WELKER: Our condolences to the family of the Guards member who did pass. I do want to go back to this question, Madam Secretary: Do you know what the motive was at this point? Do you believe the suspect acted alone?

SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM: You know, we’re still going through all of that information, and all of the FBI and DOJ reveal new information. But I will say we believe he was radicalized since he’s been here in this country. We do believe it was through connections in his home community and state, and we’re going to continue to talk to those who interacted with him, who were his family members — talk to them. So far, we’ve had some participation. But anyone who has information on this needs to know that we will be coming after you, and we will bring you to justice. We absolutely will persecute you, because we do know that we will never allow this to continue to happen in our country, allow individuals who came to our country that were unvetted by Joe Biden, allowed to run free and loose. We are going to bring them to justice and make sure that they’re returned out of this country if they aren’t here for the purposes of being an American.