Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem claimed the suspect in the Washington DC national guard shooting was radicalized in the U.S. and blamed the Biden administration’s vetting, even though the suspect’s asylum was approved under Donald Trump.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had worked with CIA-backed Afghan units and entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome before receiving asylum in 2025.

Trump used the shooting to justify halting and reviewing asylum and green-card processing, suggesting admissions could be paused indefinitely.

Noem also defended her decision to continue deportation flights despite a federal judge’s order, calling the judge “activist” and claiming her actions followed the law and presidential authority, The Guardian has reported.

A contempt inquiry is underway over whether the Trump administration violated the court order, though the Department of Justice says the flights did not technically breach it.