Dem Rep Gets Blasted for Calling Guardsman’s Killing an ‘Unfortunate Accident’ [WATCH]

Democratic Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson referred to the Nov. 26 killing of West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom as an “unfortunate accident” during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Thursday, prompting immediate pushback from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Republican lawmakers.

The hearing included testimony from Noem and an official from the National Counterterrorism Center.

“Madam Secretary, you and the gentleman from NCTC reference the unfortunate accident that occurred with the National Guardsman being killed,” Thompson said.

Noem challenged the characterization. “You think that was an unfortunate accident? It was a terrorist attack,” she responded.

“He shot our National Guardsman in the head.”

Thompson then described the killing as “an unfortunate situation” and criticized Noem for linking the incident to Joe Biden.

He noted that the alleged shooter’s asylum had reportedly been extended during President Donald Trump’s administration in April.

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The exchange led to a broader dispute over responsibility for the suspect’s presence in the United States.

The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the United States in September 2021 following the military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He had previously worked with the CIA and was admitted under Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated by the Biden-Harris administration to resettle Afghans who assisted American personnel.

Noem cited these details in arguing that the Biden-Harris administration bore responsibility for what she described as a vetting failure.

She stated that Lakanwal’s entry under Operation Allies Welcome raised concerns about the process used to screen individuals allowed into the country after the withdrawal.

As the exchange continued, Thompson’s allotted time expired. Republican Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles then spoke up.

“Point of order, Mr. Chairman. That was a murder that took place in D.C. It was not an unfortunate incident,” Ogles said.

“And those comments are effing disrespectful!”

Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino, a Republican from New York, ruled Ogles’ point of order invalid and moved the hearing forward.

Authorities say Lakanwal also allegedly shot Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was left in critical condition on Nov. 26.

Subsequent updates indicated signs of improvement in Wolfe’s condition as he continued receiving treatment.

Specialist Beckstrom’s death and the circumstances surrounding Lakanwal’s entry into the United States remain central topics in congressional discussions about national security, immigration procedures, and the handling of Afghan nationals admitted after the withdrawal.

The hearing reflected ongoing disagreements among lawmakers about how responsibility should be assessed and how vetting policies should be evaluated moving forward.