Trump Honors National Guard Members Shot in Washington

Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom were recognized for their service and sacrifice.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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During his State of the Union address, former President Donald Trump honored Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot in an ambush while deployed to Washington, D.C. last year. Wolfe survived a gunshot wound to the head, while Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day. Trump presented Wolfe with the Purple Heart and paid tribute to Beckstrom's service and sacrifice.

Why it matters

The attack on the National Guard members highlighted ongoing concerns about security and crime in the nation's capital, as well as the risks faced by service members deployed for domestic operations. Trump used the incident to criticize the Biden administration's immigration policies, claiming the gunman 'shouldn't have been in our country'.

The details

Wolfe and Beckstrom were part of the National Guard deployment ordered by Trump to battle what he called 'rampant crime' in Washington. They were ambushed on November 26, with Wolfe sustaining a gunshot wound to the head and Beckstrom fatally shot. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old who entered the U.S. through the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program, has been charged in connection with the shooting and has pleaded not guilty.

  • The attack on the National Guard members occurred on November 26, 2025.
  • Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day 2025.
  • Trump presented the Purple Heart to Wolfe 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 fatally shot in the attack on the National Guard members in Washington, D.C.

James Seward

Head of the West Virginia National Guard

Rahmanullah Lakanwal

29-year-old man charged in connection with the shooting of the National Guard members, who entered the U.S. through the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program

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, Former President

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

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

The judge in Lakanwal's case will decide on his bail status in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the risks faced by National Guard members deployed for domestic operations, as well as the ongoing debate over immigration policies and their potential impacts on public safety.