Trump Honors National Guard Members Shot in Washington

Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe receives Purple Heart for surviving gunshot wound, while 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, former President Donald Trump honored two National Guard members who were shot while deployed to Washington, D.C. as part of his executive order to combat crime. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe received the Purple Heart after surviving a gunshot wound to the head, while U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was killed in the November 26th ambush. Trump also spoke directly to Beckstrom's parents, calling her a "true American patriot." The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been charged and pleaded not guilty.

Why it matters

The attack on the National Guard members highlighted ongoing security concerns in the nation's capital, as well as the political tensions surrounding Trump's deployment of the Guard to Washington. The shooting also sparked debate over the Biden administration's refugee resettlement program, which the alleged shooter entered the country through.

The details

Wolfe and Beckstrom, members of the West Virginia National Guard, were shot in an ambush on November 26 while deployed to Washington as part of Trump's executive order to combat crime. Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day, while Wolfe survived a gunshot wound to the head. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in 2021 through the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program, has been charged and pleaded not guilty in connection with the shooting.

  • On November 26, Wolfe and Beckstrom were shot in an ambush while deployed to Washington, D.C.
  • Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day from her injuries.
  • Trump honored Wolfe and Beckstrom during his State of the Union address on February 25, 2026.

The players

Andrew Wolfe

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

Sarah Beckstrom

U.S. Army Spc. who was killed in the November 26 ambush while deployed to Washington, D.C. with the National Guard.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal

The 29-year-old man who has been charged and pleaded not guilty in connection with the shooting of the National Guard members. He entered the U.S. in 2021 through the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program.

James Seward

Head of the West Virginia National Guard.

Evalea and Gary Beckstrom

Parents of U.S. Army Spc. 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, Former President (State of the Union Address)

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

— Donald Trump, Former President (State of the Union Address)

What’s next

The judge presiding over Rahmanullah Lakanwal's case will decide on March 15, 2026 whether to grant him bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the ongoing security challenges facing the nation's capital, as well as the political debates surrounding immigration and refugee resettlement policies. It also highlights the sacrifices made by members of the National Guard in service of their country.