❓WHAT HAPPENED: Two National Guardsmen were shot outside the White House in Washington, D.C. Law enforcement officials have described the attach as an “ambush” at a press conference. Sources claim the suspect was an Afghan national, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the attack as a possible act of terrorism.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: National Guard members and law enforcement officials, as well as an Afghan suspect believed to be in police custody as of 2:58 PM EST.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Outside the White House, November 26, in the 2PM EST hour.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price!” – President Donald J. Trump.
🎯IMPACT: Increased security measures and restricted access around the White House, as well as major government departments and Capitol Hill.
Two National Guard members have been shot close to the White House in Washington, D.C. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially said both were from the Mountain State and had died, but later walked this back, citing “conflicting reports.”
Sources said the shooter is an Afghan national, and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the attack as a possible act of terrorism. The shooter appears to have entered the United States under former President Joe Biden’s special immigrant visa program for Afghan nationals after his botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.
At a press conference concluding shortly before 5 PM EST, FBI Director Kash Patel and local law enforcement officials confirmed the attack was an “ambush.” They suggested the victims were, contrary to Governor Morrisey, “critical” rather than dead.
The suspected gunman is said to have been subdued by other National Guard members and faces federal charges, with the FBI leading the investigation. There are no other suspects as of the time of publication.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth had also previously said the shooter was “targeting” the National Guard, with CBS and CNN also citing sources describing the shooting as a targeted attack. Hegseth has requested 500 additional troops in D.C. in response.
UPDATE: The scene is secured. One suspect is in custody.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) November 26, 2025
Mayor Muriel Bowser and President Trump have been briefed on the situation, with the latter in Palm Beach, Florida, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
At 3:23PM, President Trump posted on Truth Social: “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
Kellie Meyer of NewsNation reported significant police and Secret Service activity in the vicinity immediately after the incident, noting that sidewalks were entirely blocked off to both foot traffic and vehicles. The press was relocated to the briefing room inside the White House as authorities continued to gather more information on the situation, and the White House complex was placed on lockdown.
A massive police presence is currently downtown in Washington, D.C., as well as on Capitol Hill this afternoon, following the incident.
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