Co-hosts of Fox News’ “The Five” recently engaged in a heated discussion regarding the immediate political reactions following a tragic terrorist attack in Washington, D.C., on the eve of Thanksgiving. The attack involved an Afghan citizen, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who had immigrated to the US in 2021 through the Biden administration’s Operation Allied Welcome program during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The Attack and Its Casualties
The tragic incident saw the suspect drive across the country to ambush and shoot two National Guard members patrolling near the White House. Army Specialist Sarah Beckm, 20, succumbed to her injuries, leading to the suspect’s charge being upgraded to first-degree murder. Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf, 24, remains in critical condition. The attack and the loss of a service member instantly thrust the issues of immigration vetting, national security, and the controversial deployment of the National Guard into the political spotlight.
The Left’s “Knee-Jerk Reaction”
Co-host Emily Compagno highlighted what she and her colleagues viewed as the “knee-jerk reaction from the Left is to blame Trump.” This perspective centered on criticism from figures like Jane Mayer of the New Yorker and other commentators, who argued that the National Guard deployment itself was an unnecessary “political show” that tragically put non-political service members in harm’s way. This view implicitly, or explicitly, blamed President Donald Trump’s policies and decisions for the resulting tragedy.
The co-hosts—including Compagno, Paul, Charlie, and K—categorized this liberal response as “thoughtless and soulless.” They countered by emphasizing that the deployment of the Guard was a measure intended to deter crime and had been proven effective, dismissing the notion that the deployment was the root cause of the violence.
Focus on Vetting and Accountability
A major point of consensus among the Fox News panel was the lack of accountability regarding the vetting process for immigrants from Afghanistan. They stressed that Afghanistan lacks a reliable database, creating major security risks when admitting individuals through programs like Operation Allied Welcome.
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The co-hosts called for accountability from those officials who approved the migration program.
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They also voiced concern about the thousands of potentially dangerous individuals who may still be in the United States due to what they perceive as lax vetting standards.
Trump himself contributed to this narrative, pledging to implement a permanent pause on immigration from “third-world countries” and advocating for strict border controls. He heavily criticized the Biden administration’s vetting process, which he claimed was illustrated by chaotic images from evacuation flights. When questioned by a reporter, Trump also reportedly berated the journalist, claiming the suspect “went crazy” and that everyone like him should be deported, amplifying the call for mass deportations.
Broader Political Critique
The discussion also touched on what the co-hosts identified as a dangerous anti-military rhetoric originating from some Democratic senators. They suggested this rhetoric could contribute to an environment that incites violence against service members. Finally, the panel concluded that the nation must learn from excessive military interventions overseas and bring a renewed focus to domestic security and border controls.