(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called on President Donald Trump to impose a sweeping new travel ban covering what she described as “every damn country” that she believes is sending dangerous people to the United States, following the shooting of two National Guard members in the nation’s capital by an Afghan national. Her demand came after authorities identified 29‑year‑old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who had worked with U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, as the suspect in the attack that left Specialist Sarah Beckstrom dead and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe hospitalized.
Noem’s remarks and tone
Noem’s remarks, delivered on social media, used explosive language and placed immigration and travel policy back at the center of the political response to the shooting. She claimed that some foreign nationals are “flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies” and argued that the United States was not founded for “foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes.”
“Every damn country” — Noem’s phrase has become the focal point of calls for a blanket ban, though she did not list specific nations.
Her call for a blanket ban appears to go beyond current administration policy, demanding that Trump shut down travel from all countries she associates with security threats.
The incident and the suspect
- Suspect: 29‑year‑old Rahmanullah Lakanwal — an Afghan national who had worked with U.S. military forces in Afghanistan.
- Victims:
- Specialist Sarah Beckstrom — killed in the attack.
- Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe — hospitalized.
This incident has sharpened debate inside the Trump administration, which was already moving to tighten visa and immigration rules earlier in 2025.
Administration actions before and after the shooting
Before the shooting:
– President Donald Trump had announced visa restrictions on 19 countries, including Afghanistan.
– He had implemented full travel bans on 12 of those countries.
Since the shooting:
1. The White House has reportedly moved quickly to push forward measures to further curb legal immigration and to restrict entry from countries already under scrutiny.
2. Officials have framed the response as necessary to protect U.S. service members and civilians, arguing that vetting failures can have deadly results.
3. Although no new formal policy has been announced, aides have signaled that more restrictive rules are likely, and that the Washington attack will be cited as a turning point.
Political reactions
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly mourned the deaths and injuries, naming Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, and focused on their service and sacrifice.
- Thune’s message contrasted with Noem’s combative tone, which channels anger and fear toward foreign nationals and calls for broad regional closures.
Noem’s comments add pressure from within the administration to go further than the existing restrictions by using the killing of a National Guard member as justification for an even broader crackdown.
Questions about vetting and partner protections
The case has raised questions about how the U.S. screens and supports people like Lakanwal, who had worked with American forces.
- Many Afghan workers who assisted U.S. troops were treated as partners and later allowed to travel to the United States under various visa categories.
- In this situation, an Afghan national who had once been part of that partner group is now accused of attacking U.S. personnel.
- For critics of the current system, the alleged shooter has become a symbol of what they view as broken vetting and misplaced trust.
Arguments for and against broader bans
Supporters of Trump’s existing travel bans:
– Argue the Washington events validate the administration’s earlier actions against the 19 countries with visa limits.
– Point to the inclusion of Afghanistan on that list as grounds for tougher rules and broader bans.
– Cite analysis by VisaVerge.com that the earlier actions made it much harder for people from those countries to obtain U.S. visas, though they did not eliminate all travel or visa categories.
Opponents, including immigration lawyers and former officials:
– Warn that an extreme, sweeping ban could have wide human costs.
– Emphasize that people fleeing persecution — including those who supported U.S. missions — could be locked out.
– Note the administration already has broad statutory powers to bar certain travelers and has used those powers to create the current patchwork of country‑based limits.
Impact on Afghan diaspora and partners
For members of the Afghan diaspora in the United States:
– The case is likely to mean more scrutiny and possible stigma, particularly because officials have emphasized that the alleged attacker is an Afghan national.
– Community advocates fear that those who served alongside U.S. troops, or who sought safety here, will face automatic suspicion and a chilling effect on future cooperation.
– They worry local partners in conflict zones may be less willing to assist if they fear later being branded as threats or blocked from relocation programs.
Where to find official travel and restriction information
Basic information on entry rules and bans is scattered across agencies. The Department of Homeland Security publishes official information about travel security and country‑based restrictions on its website, including updates when presidents issue new orders or proclamations.
Readers can consult DHS resources at dhs.gov to see current rules affecting travel from specific countries and any later changes that may result from the Washington shooting and the Trump administration’s response.
What happens next
What follows will depend on how far President Trump is willing to go in responding to Noem’s call. As Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem has a central voice in border and immigration policy; her strong language after the killing of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the wounding of Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe suggests she favors the harshest available tools.
Potential consequences of a blanket ban on whole regions or “every damn country” considered dangerous:
– A more sealed‑off U.S. posture with significant effects on travelers, refugees, military partners, and families with ties abroad.
– Increased political momentum inside the administration for sharply cutting legal immigration and widening existing travel restrictions.
For now, the shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan national in the heart of Washington has intensified calls from officials who want to expand restrictions and further limit legal pathways to the United States.
After a Washington shooting that killed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and wounded Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called for a sweeping travel ban on “every damn country.” Authorities named 29‑year‑old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who worked with U.S. forces, as the suspect. The incident has increased pressure on the Trump administration to expand existing visa and travel restrictions affecting 19 countries, while critics warn broad bans could harm partners, refugees, and diasporas.
