President Donald Trump faced widespread criticism after his response to a question about attending the funeral of a slain National Guard member quickly pivoted to boasting about his election performance in her home state.
U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, one day after being shot in what authorities described as an ambush-style attack in Washington, D.C. The shooting occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 26, near Farragut Square, just blocks from the White House. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also shot in the attack and remains in critical condition, fighting for his life.
Both National Guard members were from West Virginia and had been deployed to the nation’s capital as part of the administration’s expanded law enforcement presence. The deployment has been part of Trump’s broader effort to address what he characterizes as rampant crime in Washington, D.C., though the use of military personnel in this capacity has drawn criticism from some observers.
During his annual Thanksgiving call to U.S. service members on Thursday, Trump announced Beckstrom’s death, calling her a “highly respected, young, magnificent person.” According to CNN, he told the troops, “She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now.”
Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach later that day, Trump was asked whether he planned to attend Beckstrom’s funeral. His response immediately drew attention on social media and from political commentators.
Trump said he hadn’t thought about it yet, but that it was certainly something he could conceive of doing. He then shifted to discussing his electoral success in West Virginia, stating, “I love West Virginia. You know, I won West Virginia by one of the biggest margins of any president anywhere.”
The president continued by emphasizing his affection for the state’s residents and noting his strong performance there, claiming he achieved some of the biggest margins in the state. He eventually returned to the funeral question, repeating that he hadn’t given it any thought but that it sounded like something he could do.
The response sparked immediate backlash on social media platforms, with critics accusing the president of narcissism and insensitivity. Many pointed out that his answer appeared to make the moment about himself rather than honoring the fallen service member. The juxtaposition of discussing a young soldier’s death alongside campaign victory margins struck many observers as tone-deaf.
According to People, a White House official confirmed that Trump spoke with Beckstrom’s family. The administration later issued a statement expressing condolences and connecting the shooting to immigration policy under the previous administration.
Beckstrom, who hailed from Summersville, West Virginia, began her service in June 2023. She was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade of the West Virginia Army National Guard. Wolfe began his service in February 2019 and was assigned to the Force Support Squadron of the 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro revealed during a press conference on Thursday that both Guard members had been sworn in just 24 hours before the shooting occurred. The timing underscored the sudden and violent nature of the attack that claimed Beckstrom’s life.
The suspect has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who arrived in the United States in 2021. According to authorities, Lakanwal drove from Bellingham, Washington to the nation’s capital before allegedly carrying out the attack.
Officials confirmed that Lakanwal had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. His arrival in the U.S. was part of a program implemented following the American military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Law enforcement sources indicated he was wounded during an exchange of gunfire with the Guard members.
Lakanwal was initially charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. However, Pirro announced Friday morning that the charges would be upgraded to first-degree murder following Beckstrom’s death.
Local and federal law enforcement agencies honored Beckstrom with a procession through Washington, D.C. The ceremony reflected the respect and mourning felt by both military and civilian communities for the young soldier whose service was cut short. The deployment of more than 2,000 National Guard troops to the capital in August has been controversial, with supporters viewing it as necessary for public safety while critics describe it as excessive.
A federal judge recently ordered the National Guard’s deployment in D.C. to be suspended, though the ruling was stayed for three weeks. The shooting has added complexity to the ongoing legal and political debates surrounding the use of military personnel in domestic law enforcement roles.
The incident has intensified discussions about immigration policy, military deployments, and presidential communication during times of national mourning. Trump’s response to questions about attending the funeral will likely continue to generate debate about appropriate conduct and messaging from the nation’s highest office.