The deadly shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., erupted into a political firestorm this week after Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., referred to the attack as an “unfortunate accident” during a congressional hearing.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called the comment “absolutely infuriating” on Fox & Friends Friday, calling out Thompson as a senior congressional leader who “for a long time has led the Homeland Security Committee in Congress.”
Gabbard said it was shocking that Thompson would not identify the attack for what it was: “a terrorist attack on our own soil against our National Guard, men and women in this case, who are putting their lives on the line.”
The shooting occurred on Thanksgiving Eve, just blocks from the White House, allegedly carried out by 29-year-old Afghan refugee Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
DNI Tulsi Gabbard TORCHES Rep. Bennie Thompson for labeling the shooting of two National Guard members in DC an “unfortunate accident.”
“It is absolutely infuriating. This is someone who is a very, very senior leader in Congress, who for a long time has led the Homeland… https://t.co/XOI7V9kqrk pic.twitter.com/z9WxLdWDLZ
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 12, 2025
Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was killed and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe critically wounded.
Wolfe has made remarkable progress since the shooting, with his medical team reporting he is now breathing on his own and able to stand with assistance.
“Important milestones that reflect his strength and determination,” his neurosurgeon Jeffrey Mai said, noting Wolfe is ready to transition from acute care to inpatient rehabilitation.
Lakanwal faces multiple charges, including murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. He has pleaded not guilty.
Gabbard said the National Guard members were performing a mission to keep Americans safe.
Lock Them Up! Russiagate is reigniting…
Obama, Clinton, Comey, and Brennan are all on the hook!
CLICK HERE to demand Russiagate conspirators got to prison!
She added that the exchange between Thompson and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem highlights “the egregious and longstanding problem” of congressional leaders refusing to name Islamist terrorist threats.
She noted that lawmakers on both sides “have refused to identify this Islamist terrorist threat for exactly what it is, which is one of the reasons why we find ourselves in the position that we’re in today.”
During Thursday’s hearing, Thompson referred to the shooting as an “unfortunate accident” while addressing Noem.
She immediately corrected him, stating, “You think that was an unfortunate accident? It was a terrorist attack.”
Thompson later softened slightly, calling it “an unfortunate situation” while continuing to link the incident to Biden administration policies on asylum approval.
This is a disgraceful thing to say. https://t.co/gymTzoq2QN
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) December 11, 2025
“He shot our National Guardsmen in the head!” she snapped. back. Thompson called for Noem to be censured for interrupting him.
“It was an unfortunate situation, but you blamed it solely on Joe Biden. I want you to know who approved the asylum application for this same person?” he remarked.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., erupted during the hearing, telling Thompson, “That was a murder that took place in DC. It was not an unfortunate incident. Those comments are f–king disrespectful. I expect better from the ranking member.”
The remarks sparked widespread backlash across social media. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called Thompson’s comments “disgusting” and praised Noem for pushing back.
Note to Democrats: The killing of National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom was not an “unfortunate accident.” It was a premeditated terrorist attack. Bennie Thompson should apologize and retract this disgusting remark.
Well done, @Sec_Noem for refusing to let Democrats downplay… https://t.co/p0e6byQPLv
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) December 11, 2025
“Note to Democrats: The killing of National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom was not an ‘unfortunate accident,'” he wrote. “It was a premeditated terrorist attack.”
“Bennie Thompson should apologize and retract this disgusting remark. Well done, @Sec_Noem for refusing to let Democrats downplay terrorism.”
The White House “Rapid Response 47” account also criticized Thompson, labeling him a “scumbag” for downplaying the attack.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called his comments “a disgraceful thing to say” in a separate post.
Thompson defended himself Friday during an interview on CNN News Central with co-host Kate Bolduan.
Asked if he still considered the shooting an accident, he said, “Oh, absolutely not. And obviously, let me be clear, I was moving toward the discussion that [Kristi Noem] could not blame Joe Biden on the situation because she approved this person’s asylum application and that’s where we were headed and so the issue is…”
When Bolduan pressed him, asking, “You’re saying you misspoke?” Thompson replied, “Oh, absolutely. Absolutely.”
The heated exchange and subsequent fallout underscore the political tensions surrounding immigration policy and national security.
Critics argue that Thompson’s remarks reflect a larger pattern of Democrats minimizing threats posed by individuals admitted under U.S. asylum programs.
Gabbard called this refusal to name Islamist terrorism “one of the reasons why we find ourselves in the position that we’re in today.”
