U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has delivered an unmistakable message, confirming that if either of the two critically wounded National Guardsmen attacked near the White House dies, the federal government will pursue the death penalty.
Pirro explained that her office will hit the suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, with first-degree murder charges, a capital offense.
At a press conference following the brazen attack, Pirro said federal officials are already coordinating with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to review the suspect’s immigration background and how he entered the United States.
“We’re working very closely with our partners, especially DHS and the FBI, to review his immigration history and the vetting process itself,” Pirro said.
“What we know about him is that he drove his vehicle across the country from the state of Washington with the intended target of coming to our nation’s capital.”
For now, prosecutors have charged the suspect with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed under District of Columbia law, along with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
“As we stand here today, the charges that are appropriate right now are three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, a violation of DC code 22–401 and DC code 22–4502,” she said.
“He will also be charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
“He faces 15 years under assault with the intent to kill.”
Pirro made clear that these charges will change if either Guardsman succumbs to his injuries.
“We intend to continue monitoring what the charges will be, depending upon the well-being of the guardsmen,” she added.
“We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree.”
“But make no mistake,” she declared.
“If they do not, that will certainly be the charge: murder in the first degree.
“The Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi is committed to a thorough and impartial investigation where we will hold this perpetrator accountable under the full weight of the law.”
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Pirro also condemned the circumstances surrounding the attacker’s immigration pathway into the United States, an issue that has come under renewed scrutiny after officials confirmed the alleged shooter entered the U.S. under the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome program.
“We should not have to live in fear in the nation’s capital, especially by one who came here from a foreign country through a process that was so absurd that he came through and released into this country as many were, knowing virtually nothing about his vetting,” Pirro said.
“This is what happens in this country when people are allowed in who are not properly vetted.”
The U.S. attorney praised the two Guardsmen and their fellow service members as a frontline defense protecting America’s capital.
“These guardsmen and all who were here to protect the district are the line that separates a civilized society from a barbaric one.
“They are the ones who stand for law and order.
“This was not just an attack.
“It was a direct challenge to law and order in our nation’s capital, and the individual will be made fully accountable.”
Pirro closed with a warning aimed squarely at the suspect.
“Though it seems that we have been here before, under President Trump make no mistake, and the attorney general: We will not allow this to be normalized.
“It will be confronted, condemned, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
“Now my message to the individual who committed these acts is you picked the wrong target, the wrong city, and the wrong country, and you will be sorry for the violence and the evil that you perpetrated in our nation’s capital,” she concluded.
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