Trump Honors National Guard Members Shot in Washington

President awards Purple Heart to Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, whose colleague U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was killed in the attack.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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During his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump presented the Purple Heart medal to Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who survived a gunshot wound to the head while patrolling with the National Guard in Washington last year. Trump also honored Wolfe's colleague, U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in the attack. The president spoke directly to Beckstrom's parents, calling her a "true American patriot."

Why it matters

The shooting of the National Guard members while deployed to Washington as part of Trump's executive order to combat crime has raised concerns about security and the vetting process for immigrants entering the country. The incident has become a political flashpoint, with Trump criticizing the Biden administration's refugee resettlement program.

The details

Wolfe and Beckstrom, members of the West Virginia National Guard, were shot in an ambush on Nov. 26 while deployed to Washington. Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was wounded in the attack, has been charged in connection with the shooting and has pleaded not guilty. Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program, which evacuated and resettled tens of thousands of Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from the country.

  • On Nov. 26, Wolfe and Beckstrom were shot in an ambush while patrolling in Washington.
  • Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Trump presented the Purple Heart medal to Wolfe during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

The players

Andrew Wolfe

Air Force Staff Sgt. who survived a gunshot wound to the head while patrolling with the National Guard in Washington last year.

Sarah Beckstrom

U.S. Army Spc. who was killed in the attack on the National Guard members in Washington.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal

The 29-year-old who was charged in connection with the shooting of the National Guard members and has pleaded not guilty.

James Seward

Head of the West Virginia National Guard.

Evalea and Gary Beckstrom

Parents of Sarah Beckstrom.

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What they’re saying

“With God's help, Andrew has battled back from the edge of death—and we're talking about the edge—on his way to a miraculous recovery.”

— Donald Trump, President (kob.com)

“Your daughter was a true American patriot and she will be greatly missed.”

— Donald Trump, President (kob.com)

What’s next

The judge in Rahmanullah Lakanwal's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident has become a political flashpoint, with Trump criticizing the Biden administration's refugee resettlement program and calling for tighter immigration controls. The shooting has raised concerns about security and the vetting process for immigrants entering the country, and the tributes to the National Guard members have prompted bipartisan support.