Chaos has emerged in Washington, D.C., following a shooting incident involving two National Guard troops near the White House. The shooting occurred just days after the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and amid ongoing controversies surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case and a surprising meeting between President Donald Trump and political opponent Zohran Mamdani.

The shooter has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021. Lakanwal arrived as part of a group of Afghans allowed into the country after the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul, which was criticized for its chaotic execution. He had worked with U.S. forces, including the CIA, and was granted asylum under the Trump administration.

This incident highlights the complexities and challenges facing Trump's second term. Lakanwal's entry into the U.S. was facilitated by Operation Allies Welcome, a program aimed at assisting Afghans who aided U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. Trump has previously criticized the program for its screening processes, which he claims failed to prevent potential threats from entering the country.

The National Guard troops, deployed by Trump to address crime in Washington, D.C., have faced legal scrutiny. A U.S. District Attorney recently ruled that the deployment violated federal law, giving Trump three weeks to appeal the decision. Despite this, Trump has announced plans to send additional troops to the capital following the shooting, stating that it will strengthen efforts to ensure safety in the city.

While Trump has claimed that crime rates in D.C. have dropped since the deployment of the National Guard, data indicates that crime was already declining prior to their arrival. Reports show that shootings in the city had decreased by two-thirds before the troops were sent in.

In response to the shooting, Trump has paused immigration applications for all Afghans, affecting those seeking to enter the U.S. as well as those already residing in the country. This decision is likely to impact many Afghans who have worked alongside U.S. interests over the years.

The shooting incident has intensified discussions about the effectiveness of current immigration policies and the safety of the nation's capital. As the situation unfolds, the White House's response appears to be both reactive and politically charged, reflecting the ongoing turmoil in Washington, D.C.