Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hit back at Democratic House Homeland Security committee ranking member Bennie Thompson, who referred to the recent terrorist attack in Washington, D.C., as an “unfortunate accident” during a hearing Thursday on Capitol Hill.
Noem was testifying before the committee to discuss “worldwide threats” to the nation. Thompson questioned Noem after he said she “referenced the unfortunate accident that occurred with the National Guardsmen …”
But Noem quickly interrupted: “You think that was an unfortunate accident? It was a terrorist attack.”
“I mean, wait, wait, look, I’ll get it straight, then you can respond,” Thompson responded.
“He shot our National Guardsman in the head,” Noem responded.
Thompson later clarified that “it was an unfortunate situation.”
🚨 Rep. Bennie Thompson refers to the terrorist attack against two National Guardsmen in DC as an “unfortunate accident.”
Sec. Noem: “Unfortunate accident? It was a terroist attack. They shot our Guardsmen in the head.” pic.twitter.com/34YtPrVteF
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 11, 2025
Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, who entered the U.S. in 2021 as part of President Joe Biden’s “Operation Allies Welcome,” allegedly shot two National Guardsmen last month as they were patrolling the streets as part of the Trump administration’s crime crackdown.
One of the soldiers, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of the West Virginia National Guard, tragically passed away a day after the attack. Her colleague, West Virginia National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, is still recovering from his injuries.
During the attack, Lakanwal yelled “Allahu akbar!” according to court documents.
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