'Monster responsible' for National Guard shooting will face 'most severe punishment': US

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The US has said that the "monster responsible" for the killing of a National Guard member in a shooting near White House will face "the most severe punishment."

An Afghan national on Wednesday shot at two National Guard members near the White House, killing Spec. Sarah Beckstrom, and seriously injuring Andrew Wolfe.

"Sarah and Andrew are heroes, and we will never forget their sacrifice. That means ensuring the monster responsible for this atrocity is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and faces the most severe punishment possible," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press conference on Monday.

Leavitt blamed the former President Joe Biden's administration, claiming that the nearly 100,000 Afghans were "recklessly" allowed in the US with "little to no vetting."

"We continue to live with the deadly consequences of Joe Biden's horrific leadership. Nearly 100,000 Afghans were recklessly released into the United States with little to no vetting. There

The accused, Lakanwal (29), migrated from Afghanistan in 2021 under "Operation Allies Welcome" during Joe Biden's tenure, after the chaotic withdrawal of US forces in Afghanistan.

Leavitt, slamming Joe Biden for the "botched withdrawal" from Afghanistan, said that it was "most embarrassing moments" in the history of the US, and Biden's "historic failure continues" to haunt this country.

"The terrorist who gunned down American soldiers blocks away from the White House in an ambush was an Afghan national who was flown into our country by Joe Biden's administration in September 2021 in the chaotic wake of their botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. One of the most embarrassing moments in the history of our great country. Joe Biden's historic failure in Afghanistan continues to haunt this country and our men and women in uniform," Leavitt said.

Speaking on the attack on two members of the National Guard, Trump, on Sunday, said, "Andrew is fighting for his life".

He added that he intends to honour both of them at the White House.

Earlier, Trump lambasted the previous Joe Biden administration, accusing its leaders of "screwing the country" by admitting "unchecked and unvetted" immigrants.
The President also hit out at former Vice President Kamala Harris for letting "anyone and everyone come in" to the US.

"Crooked Joe Biden, Mayorkas, and so-called 'Border Czar' Kamala Harris really screwed our Country by letting anyone and everyone come in totally unchecked and unvetted," Trump posted on Truth Social.