Democrat Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) sparked immediate backlash on Thursday after referring to the November 26 murder of a National Guardsman as an “unfortunate accident” during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, a remark Republicans blasted as disrespectful and dangerously minimizing the nature of the terrorist attack.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia National Guard was fatally shot in Washington, D.C., by a terrorist from Afghanistan.
Beckstrom and fellow Guard member Andrew Wolfe, 24, were both shot in the head at close range.
Wolfe remains in critical condition.
The alleged gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the United States under former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome following the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Thompson’s comment came as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified before lawmakers.
“Madam Secretary, you and the gentleman from NCTC reference the unfortunate accident that occurred with the National Guardsman being killed,” Thompson said.
Noem immediately pushed back.
“You think that was an unfortunate accident?” she replied, stunned by the remark.
“It was a terrorist attack!
“He shot our National Guardsman in the head.”
Thompson then shifted terminology, calling the killing “an unfortunate situation,” but refusing to walkback the previous comments.
He also criticized Noem for attributing the tragedy to a Biden administration failure.
WATCH:
Noem Points to Biden Vetting Failure
Lakanwal, who previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan.
He was later admitted to the U.S. in September 2021 as part of an emergency resettlement program for Afghans who aided American forces.
Noem underscored that timeline to argue the Biden administration was responsible for clearing him through federal vetting.
Thompson’s allotted time expired after the exchange, but the tension escalated when Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) jumped in.
“Point of order, Mr. Chairman,” Ogles said.
“That was a murder that took place in D.C.
“It was not an unfortunate incident.
“And those comments are effing disrespectful!”
Committee Chairman Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) ruled the objection out of order.
Second U.S. Service Member Gravely Wounded
Lakanwal allegedly shot a second service member, Air Force Staff Sgt. Wolfe, who was left in critical condition.
Officials have since reported signs of improvement in Wolfe’s recovery.
As the investigation proceeds, the hearing highlighted the deep partisan divide over refugee vetting, post-withdrawal Afghan resettlement, and how federal officials should describe politically sensitive acts of violence against U.S. service members.
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