The Fallout From the National Guard Shooting

The Daily – The New York Times
Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Michael Barbaro
Guest: Hamid Al Azeez (Immigration reporter)

Overview of the Episode

This episode examines a seismic shift in U.S. immigration policy following the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House by Rahmanullah Lachenwal, an Afghan immigrant and former CIA-backed operative. The hosts explore the shooter's complex background, the Trump administration’s forceful response—including a sweeping crackdown on asylum and refugee pathways—and the broader implications for U.S. policy, Afghan allies, and American values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Shooting and Immediate Aftermath

• Incident Recap
  • Rahmanullah Lachenwal, an Afghan immigrant, shot two National Guard members near the White House. One, Sarah Beckstrom, died; the other, Andrew Wolf, remained in critical condition. (01:00–11:30)
  • President Trump immediately ordered a full review of Afghan nationals in the U.S. and put all asylum decisions on hold.

  "President Trump has ordered a sweeping new crackdown on immigration ... promising to expel millions of immigrants already here, revoking their legal status." — Michael Barbaro (01:08)

2. Who Was Rahmanullah Lachenwal?

• Background in Afghanistan

  • Lachenwal and his brother were part of the "Zero Unit," a CIA-backed Afghan paramilitary group targeting the Taliban. (03:12–04:17)
  • Zero Unit had a reputation for both effectiveness and alleged human rights abuses.

  "They were basically a CIA backed group that hunted Taliban members, really highly trained, highly vetted by the US government..." — Hamid Al Azeez (03:51)

• Mental Health and Trauma

  • Lachenwal reportedly suffered trauma from his participation in this unit, according to friends.

  "This was clearly somebody who was traumatized from his experience as part of Zero Unit." — Hamid Al Azeez (05:20)

• Escape to the U.S.

  • Fled Afghanistan during the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal; arrived under Biden’s “Operation Allies Welcome.” (06:35–07:18)

• Path to Asylum

  • Entered under Biden’s “parole” program, involving hurried but layered vetting; gained asylum during the Trump administration in April 2025. (08:13–09:33)

  "So pretty rigorous." — Michael Barbaro
  "Pretty rigorous. But ... this was a really hurried process..." — Hamid Al Azeez (08:13)

3. The Event: The DC Shooting

• Sequence
  • Lachenwal traveled cross-country and shot two National Guard members near the White House, then was shot and apprehended. (10:00–11:31)
  • The attack brought together the legacy of the Afghanistan war and domestic security debates.

  "Suddenly all of these dramas are colliding. The war in Afghanistan ... and his use of National Guard across American cities, it's all colliding." — Michael Barbaro (11:31)

4. Trump Administration's Sweeping Response

• Critique of Afghan Vetting

  • Officials, including Trump, blamed Biden for failures in vetting, although asylum was granted by Trump’s administration. (14:09–15:22)

  "This individual is in this country for one reason and one reason alone, the failure to vet in any way, shape or form..." — U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro (14:27)

• Policy Actions

  • Immediate pause on all Afghan immigration and asylum applications. (16:15)
  • Retroactive review of all asylum granted during Biden and of green cards for people from "travel-ban" countries. (17:06–18:16)
  • Halted issuance of any new visas for Afghan nationals; ordered already-granted Afghan visas to be destroyed. (18:22–19:29)

  "It's a massive review ... they're taking every step possible to target Afghans, not only in America, but abroad." — Hamid Al Azeez (18:22)

• Implications:

  • The entire U.S. asylum system is effectively frozen.
  • Legal experts anticipate “undoubtedly” major court challenges.

5. The U.S. Promise to Afghan Allies

• Policy Reversal

  • Trump’s actions signal a permanent break in the U.S. policy of aiding locals who support U.S. forces in wartime. (20:45–25:57)

  • Editorial debate: Should one incident end refuge for all allies?

    • Wall Street Journal: warns of strategic disaster if the U.S. abandons allies.
    • Stephen Miller (architect of Trump immigration policy): argues migration brings the "problems of failed societies" to America, implicating not just individuals but entire communities and their descendants. (21:39–23:04)

    "You are not just importing individuals, you are importing societies." — Stephen Miller (23:01)

  • Host commentary: Miller’s logic keeps out all, regardless of individual merit, and constitutes collective punishment. (24:14–25:13)

  "Because one of them did this thing, none of them can come ..." — Michael Barbaro (24:35)

• Veterans' Support for Afghan Allies

  • Many U.S. veterans have actively lobbied to bring Afghan partners to safety; that window is now closed. (25:13–25:57)

6. National Guard Deployment Intensifies

• Ongoing Tensions
  • In response to the attack, Trump announces plans to send 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., stoking both security and local governance controversies. (26:20–26:59)

  "Far from shrinking because of this shooting, [the National Guard deployment] is now going to expand because of it." — Hamid Al Azeez (26:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This is something that he [Trump] personally is tied to. And ... it really confirms a lot of the claims that he's made in the past, a lot of his worst fears..." — Hamid Al Azeez on Trump's reaction (11:48)

• "It's kind of an open embrace of collective punishment..." — Michael Barbaro (24:35)

• "For now, this idea of helping Afghans who helped the American military in Afghanistan, that's over." — Hamid Al Azeez (25:57)

• "These will undoubtedly lead to legal challenges, especially this idea of going back..." — Hamid Al Azeez on legal risks of policy (20:22)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:00–01:14 | Announcement of fallout & crackdown on Afghan nationals | | 03:12–05:07 | Background on Rahmanullah Lachenwal and Zero Unit | | 09:26–10:00 | Transition to Lachenwal's move across the U.S. and the attack | | 14:04–15:50 | Trump officials' explanations and shifting blame | | 16:15–18:22 | Step-by-step breakdown of the new immigration crackdowns | | 21:40–23:04 | Wall Street Journal editorial vs. Stephen Miller response | | 24:35–25:57 | Analysis of collective punishment and end of Afghan promises | | 26:20–26:59 | Expansion of National Guard deployment in D.C. |

Tone & Style

The conversation is urgent, somber, and analytical. Barbaro’s style balances empathic narration with incisive questioning, while Al Azeez offers detailed, measured reporting.

Conclusion

This episode of The Daily provides a comprehensive look at how a single act of violence—and the identity of the perpetrator—has catalyzed an unprecedented crackdown on the U.S. immigration and refugee system, with sweeping consequences for immigrants, allies, and America’s standing and obligations abroad. The story is deeply intertwined with questions of justice, loyalty, the legacy of war, and the very nature of national identity.