D.C. shooting triggers Guard deployment as courts and agencies issue major decisions.
Trump’s 45th week brought increased violence, escalations in anti-immigrant sentiment, investigations, and dropped indictments. Two National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, leading Trump to deploy an additional 500 troops to the nation’s capital despite a previous report from The Introspective detailing a federal judge ruling that the National Guard deployment was illegal. Following the suspect being identified as an immigrant from Afghanistan, Trump called for investigating every Afghan immigrant who entered the United States under former President Joe Biden, while Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stopped processing all immigration requests from Afghan nationals. This comes as the Pentagon is investigating Sen. Mark Kelly following a previous Introspective report detailing the lawmaker joining a video urging troops and intelligence personnel to refuse “illegal orders.”
Following previous reports from The Introspective detailing indictments being filed against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, a federal judge dismissed the charges against both after finding the prosecutor who brought the cases forward was not appointed lawfully. This also comes as a Georgia prosecutor dropped a racketeering case against President Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
After previous reports detailing the ending of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, the Trump administration announced that TPS protections for 350,000 Haitian immigrants will expire in February. This comes as the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a $250 fee on foreigners visiting national parks.
National Guard Shooting and Mark Kelly
Two members of the National Guard were shot Wednesday in Washington, D.C., two blocks away from the White House in a “targeted shooting.”
“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price,” wrote Trump to Truth Social following the shooting, announcing the suspect was also wounded.
“God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.”
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal—a 29-year-old from Afghanistan—entered the United States in 2021 and was granted asylum this year in April. He previously worked with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the U.S. military during the war in Afghanistan. He was living in Bellingham, Washington—90 miles north of Seattle—with his wife and children before driving to Washington, D.C., for the attack.
Trump later called for investigating every immigrant from Afghanistan that entered the United States under former President Joe Biden, escalating ongoing anti-immigrant sentiment.
“This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror,” Trump said in an address to the nation Wednesday night, stating the shooting “underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation.”
“We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden.”
He then criticized immigrants from Somalia living in Minnesota, despite no connection to the shooting, saying they were “ripping off our country and ripping apart that once-great state” and describing the country as having “no laws, no water, no military, no nothing.”
Citizenship and Immigration Services stopped processing all immigration requests from Afghan nationals “effective immediately.”
“Processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” wrote the agency to X.
“The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission.”
In a statement, #AfghanEvac, an advocacy group supporting immigrants from Afghanistan following the Taliban taking over, emphasized not discriminating against all Afghan nationals following the shooting.
“Afghan immigrants and wartime allies who resettle in the United States undergo some of the most extensive security vetting of any population entering the country,” said President Shawn VanDiver.
“This individual’s isolated and violent act should not be used as an excuse to define or diminish an entire community.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deployed an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., despite a previous report from The Introspective detailing a federal judge ruling that the National Guard deployment was illegal.
“After those meetings, [my team and I] were notified that two National Guardsmen had been shot in Washington, D.C., critically wounded by a shooter [and] shot in a cowardly, dastardly act targeting the best of America,” said Hegseth while meeting with leadership in the Dominican Republic.
“It will not stand, and that’s why President Trump has asked me, and I will ask the secretary of the Army to [tell] the National Guard to add 500 additional troops—National Guardsmen—to Washington, D.C.,” he continued.
“[They’re] heroes willing to serve in Washington, D.C., [to] serve for people they don’t know and they’ve never met. Because they love their country and their capital and their community, they were willing to do dangerous things.”
U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro identified the two National Guard members as 20-year-old Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Pfc. Andrew Wolfe, while announcing that Lakanwal will be charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, with the charges potentially changing depending on the condition of the wounded Guard members.
Beckstrom later died from her injuries Thursday evening.
This also comes as the Pentagon is investigating Sen. Mark Kelly following a previous Introspective report detailing the lawmaker joining a video urging troops and intelligence personnel to refuse “illegal orders.”
“The Department of War has received serious allegations of misconduct against Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.),” wrote the Department of Defense, also known as the Department of War, in an X post, adding that “a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred to the lawmakers as the “Seditious Six,” while adding that Sen. Kelly falls under Pentagon jurisdiction.
“The Department is reviewing his statements and actions, which were addressed directly to all troops while explicitly using his rank and service affiliation — lending the appearance of authority to his words,” wrote Hegseth.
“Kelly’s conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately.”
Indictments Dismissed
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie dismissed indictments against both former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday, after it was revealed that Lindsey Halligan, who brought the cases forward, was not lawfully appointed.
“Because Ms. Halligan had no lawful authority to present the indictment, I will grant Mr. Comey’s motion and dismiss the indictment,” wrote Currie in a court filing.
“All actions flowing from Ms. Halligan’s defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr. Comey’s indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside,” she continued, referring to Halligan as “a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience.”
James Comey Dismissal
She later dismissed James’ indictment in a separate ruling.
“This case presents the unique, if not unprecedented, situation where an unconstitutionally appointed prosecutor, ‘exercising power [she] did not lawfully possess,’… acted alone in conducting a grand jury proceeding and securing an indictment,” read the court filing.
Letita James Dismissal
In an Instagram post, Comey celebrated the dismissal.
“I’m grateful that the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence and a reflection of what the Department of Justice has become under Donald Trump, which is heartbreaking,” he said.
“This case mattered to me personally, obviously, but it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies,” he continued.
“I know that Donald Trump will probably come after me again, and my attitude is going to be the same. I’m innocent. I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary, the gift from our founders that protects us from a would-be tyrant.”
In a press release, James said she was “heartened” and “grateful” for the support she received.
“I remain fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day.”
At the same time, a Georgia prosecutor dropped a racketeering case against President Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
“The criminal conduct alleged in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit’s prosecution was conceived in Washington, D.C., not the State of Georgia,” wrote Prosecutor Pete Skandalakis.
“The federal government is the appropriate venue for this prosecution, not the State of Georgia.”
Racketerring Case Dismissal
In a Truth Social post, Trump called the case “an illegal, unconstitutional and unAmerican hoax.”
“LAW and JUSTICE have prevailed in the Great State of Georgia,” he wrote.
Immigration
With heightened anti-immigrant sentiment, TPS protections for 350,000 Haitian immigrants will expire in February.
“Based on the Department’s review, the Secretary has determined that while the current situation in Haiti is concerning, the United States must prioritize its national interests and permitting Haitian nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the U.S. national interest,” read a notice from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
This comes following a previous report from The Introspective highlighting protections being repealed for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
The Department of the Interior later announced a “resident-focused fee structure that puts American families first,” with foreigners visiting national parks now having to pay an additional $250 fee.
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in a statement.
“These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”
The new fees begin Jan. 1.
The Introspective 
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