I’ve heard that the crime rate for Afghan refugees in the US is far below the crime rate for native-born Americans. (The sources I’m seeing have global figures only; if I find what the TV news person referred to, I’ll post it.)
The sad truth is that this incident will give the Trumpites an excuse to indulge their most racist impulses.
They’re already doing it. Being easy targets for people this regime has been pissed off, so the regime has yet more excuses to crack down on legitimate descent.
Here is a knowledgeable take:
One National Guard member has died as a sprawling federal investigation is underway after yesterday’s “ambush-style” shooting in Washington, DC. Another National Guard member is fighting for his life, President Donald Trump said in a Thanksgiving address to service members.
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/washington-dc-shooting-national-guard-members-11-27-25
That’s my reaction. There’s absolutely no reason to murder a couple of random guardsmen. No actual insurrectionist would start by doing that.
We’re seeing recreational grief performance art used as an excuse to advance a xenophobic Islamophobic white male heterosexual Christian nationalist agenda.
Re last post, while a true statement, such responses are exactly what MAGA leaders hope to get.
My wife said something in the ballpark of what BobLibDem writes above, and when I objected on tactical grounds, she half-seriously suggested that I was pro-Trump 
Are you saying that we should not point out recreational grief performance art for what it is? What would be a more appropriate tactical response to using a death to advance an agenda?
We saw this in 1968 and 2004 with the accusation that to “cut and run” disrespects the blood of our proud patriots in uniform.
Admittedly, this was also said in 1864, when the troops were bleeding into American soil. But Mr. Lincoln’s argument for their presence was more convincing than Mr. Trump’s.
The WV NG were seen at one point, mulching cherry trees and picking up litter. As a West Virginian, I am disgusted at the use of these residents to cosplay for the Drumpt administration.
Since the shooter worked for a Zero Unit supported by the CIA to kill Taliban and was vetted by this administration this year, I am guessing that the “incident” is going to disappear, except for the grieving families. It could point up the fact that this shooter was cleared to stay here, and then like other Afghans was seeing that their Temporary Protective status was being ended. There is no way that this makes those in power look good.
Also, seems very convenient timing. I don’t believe in coincidence.
My understanding is the shooter was given Asylum in April 2025. By the Trump administration.
Also, this conglomeration of Guard troops close to the president and the WH smacks alittle of dictator types using citizens to hide behind. National Guard troops are a proud service. They are citizen soldiers. Not private body guards for a self centered toddler with no filters.
What next? Mob bosses/mafia types standing out front of the WH, in their pin stripes with Tommy guns.
Why yes. Why do you ask?
Some are looking at odd spikes in Google Trends that took place hours before the attack–featuring the name of the alleged shooter. There are also questions about the fact that the alleged shooter worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. (A Substack article with some documentation is linked below. No paywall, but if someone hasn’t been on the site before an email may be requested.)