Where was Trump during the DC shooting? What we know after two National Guard members were shot near the White House

Where was Trump during DC shooting? This question swirls online about President Donald Trump’s whereabouts during the Washington, DC, shooting that critically injured two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday afternoon, November 26. Two victims hospitalized after the attack were confirmed to be members of the West Virginia National Guard, according to Politico, citing a spokesperson for the DC Joint Task Force.

The shooting prompted intense scrutiny of White House security and renewed debate about the National Guard deployment across the district, especially after the news of 500 more National Guardsmen to be deployed there.

Where was Trump during the DC shooting? Was Trump in the White House?

President Trump was in Florida on Wednesday, away from Washington, D.C., when the DC shooting happened, according to the New York Post.

Vice President JD Vance was also not in the capital; he was in Kentucky, visiting troops at the time of the shooting.

The absence of both leaders helped fuel public curiosity online, with “Was Trump in the White House during the DC shooting?” “Where was Trump during the DC shooting?” emerged as a widely searched question across social media shortly after the incident.

Suspected DC shooter Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal

The suspected gunman has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 during the Biden administration under Operation Allies Welcome, according to the New York Post.

Conservative outlets, including Fox News, have reported that Lakanwal overstayed his visa, sparking political debates about immigration and security policies.

Why are National Guard troops in Washington, DC?

National Guard troops have been stationed in Washington since August, following President Trump’s order to deploy forces to the city as part of an expanded initiative targeting street crime and immigration violations.

In addition to the DC National Guard, several Republican-led states, including West Virginia, sent guard units to reinforce the deployment.

Security response after the shooting

Following the attack, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that President Trump directed him to dispatch an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, DC, to strengthen security around federal buildings and high-traffic public spaces.

Politico reported that three gunshot victims, including the two National Guard members, were transported to area trauma centers, according to D.C. Fire and EMS spokesperson Vito Maggiolo.

President Trump responded on social media, stating that the suspect was “severely wounded” and would “pay a very steep price.”