Morning Wire (Daily Wire)

Episode: SPECIAL EDITION: National Guardsmen Shot in Suspected Terror Attack
Air Date: November 27, 2025
Host: John Bickley, with coverage including statements from President Trump and Secretary Pete Hexseth

Episode Overview

This special edition of Morning Wire centers on a breaking news story: the targeted shooting of two National Guardsmen near the White House, an attack officially described as a suspected act of terrorism. The episode covers critical details of the incident, background on the suspect, reactions from national leaders, and policy implications—highlighting ongoing concerns about border and refugee policy in the U.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Details of the Suspected Terror Attack

• Incident Summary:

  • [00:31–01:16] Two National Guardsmen from West Virginia were deliberately shot near the White House.
  • Both were shot in the head with a handgun and remained in critical condition as of the report.
  • The attacker was also critically wounded and apprehended by authorities.

• Suspect Identification:

  • [01:05–01:27] The gunman was identified as Ramanala Lakhanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome.

• Background on Operation Allies Welcome:

  • [01:27–01:46] This program, launched after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, admitted approximately 77,000 Afghans into the U.S. Lakhanwal reportedly served ten years in the Afghan army and settled in Washington state.

2. Official Responses and Condemnations

• War Secretary Pete Hexseth:

  • [01:56–02:16] Publicly denounced the attack in a press conference, characterizing the shooting as an attack “targeting the best of America—heroes willing to serve.”
  • Quote: “The shooter shot in a cowardly, dastardly act targeting the best of America. Heroes willing to serve in Washington, D.C., serve for people they don’t know and they’ve never met.” (E, 02:00)

• President Trump’s National Address:

  • [02:24–03:21] Delivered a rare, nighttime statement condemning the Biden administration’s refugee policies.
    • Accused the administration of poor vetting, directly tying the attack to the Operation Allies Welcome program.
    • Quote: “Based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan—a hellhole on earth. He was flown in by the Biden administration... Nobody knew who was coming in. Nobody knew anything about it.” (A, 02:25)
    • Called it “a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity.” (A, 00:37)

3. Policy Implications Announced

• Immediate Review of Admitted Refugees:

  • [03:21–03:29] President Trump stated his administration would review every person admitted under Operation Allies Welcome.
  • Quote: “We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country. If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.” (A, 03:29)

• Security Measures:

  • [03:47–04:13] Announcement of mobilizing an additional 500 troops to protect Washington, D.C.
  • Quote: “America will never bend and never yield in the face of terror... I have directed the Department of War to mobilize an additional 500 troops to help protect our capital city. We will make America totally safe again.” (A, 03:47)

Notable Quotes

• President Trump:

  • "This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred, and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity." (A, 00:37)
  • “No country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival.” (A, 03:21)
  • “We will not be deterred from the mission these service members were so nobly fulfilling.” (A, 03:47)

• War Secretary Pete Hexseth:

  • “The shooter shot in a cowardly, dastardly act targeting the best of America.” (E, 02:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:31–01:27 — Details of the attack, suspect identification, and background
• 01:56–02:16 — Secretary Pete Hexseth’s condemnation
• 02:24–03:21 — President Trump’s national address: implications and criticism of Biden’s policies
• 03:21–03:29 — Announcement of policy reviews on refugees
• 03:47–04:13 — Additional security measures announced

Conclusion

This emergency broadcast delivers the facts on a high-profile attack on National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., highlighting the intersection of national security and refugee policy. The episode features strong, emotive language from U.S. officials, underscores ongoing partisan debate over immigration and vetting, and leaves listeners with the promise of updates as the story develops.

For further updates, listeners are advised to visit dailywire.com.