Month: December 2025

The man accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers near the White House last week appeared virtually before a D.C. Superior Court judge on Tuesday, entering not-guilty pleas from his hospital bed.

Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is charged with first-degree murder and multiple related offenses in the attack that killed Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24.

Federal prosecutors filed the case in D.C. Superior Court, reflecting the District’s unusual system in which the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes both local and federal crimes. Authorities have not identified a motive. Lakanwal’s next court appearance is set for January 14.

Judge Renee Raymond ordered him held without bond, saying, “No condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community,” and adding that “it is fairly clear that he came across the country, 3,000 miles, armed, with a specific purpose in mind.”

Lakanwal, hospitalized from a gunshot wound sustained during his arrest, appeared on screen mostly covered by blankets. Speaking through a Pashto interpreter, he told the court he was in pain and claimed he could not open his eyes. A court-appointed attorney formally entered his not-guilty pleas.

Prosecutors say Lakanwal shouted “Allahu Akbar” while opening fire on the Guardsmen during their patrol on Nov. 26. According to the charging documents, both soldiers were struck in the head; Beckstrom died a day later, while Wolfe remains in serious condition but has shown signs of neurological improvement, according to West Virginia officials.

A prosecutor argued that the severity of the allegations — including first-degree murder while armed — and Lakanwal’s lack of ties to the District justified pretrial detention. Defense attorneys countered that he had no criminal history and that the government took too long to bring charges.

Relatives say Lakanwal arrived in the United States in 2021 after serving for a decade in the Afghan army alongside U.S. Special Forces. The CIA confirmed he was part of a partner force in Kandahar before his service ended during the U.S. withdrawal. He had been living with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington.

An affidavit submitted by law enforcement describes Beckstrom and Wolfe speaking while on duty shortly after 2 p.m. when shots rang out. According to the document, the two fell to the ground and saw the gunman as the attack unfolded. Officers subdued Lakanwal as he appeared to be reloading.

In response to the shooting, Trump announced that 500 additional Guard members would be sent to the capital, raising the deployment to roughly 2,700 personnel from multiple states under Joint Task Force–District of Columbia. They are expected to remain through at least late February.

Editorial credit: DCStockPhotography / Shutterstock.com

Michael and Susan Dell on Tuesday announced a sweeping $6.25 billion philanthropic commitment aimed at giving roughly 25 million children—mostly those age 10 and under who were born before the federal eligibility window—access to $250 starter deposits in so-called “Trump Accounts.”

The initiative, unveiled alongside President Donald Trump at the White House and timed with Giving Tuesday, marks one of the largest private gifts ever directed at American youth. Michael Dell, whose net worth approaches $150 billion following Dell Technologies’ surge during the AI hardware boom, said he was inspired by the scale of potential impact. Trump celebrated the announcement on Truth Social, writing, “TWO GREAT PEOPLE. I LOVE DELL!!!”

The contribution builds on the new national investment-account system created through Trump’s recent tax-and-spending package, where babies born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, will automatically receive $1,000 in Treasury-funded accounts. Families, employers, and friends can add up to $5,000 per year, with funds locked until recipients turn 18. At that point, withdrawals can support education, homeownership or business creation, or leftover balances can roll into an IRA for continued tax-advantaged growth.

The Dell family’s separate $250 deposits target children who missed the federal cutoff but live in ZIP codes with median household incomes of $150,000 or less. According to Invest America—the nonprofit supporting the program—the gift is expected to reach nearly 80% of U.S. children age 10 and under across most ZIP codes.

The Dell family, which has donated nearly $3 billion since 1999—much of it focused on education—said the scale of their latest gift grew over time.  In a statement, the Dells said, “These deposits will reach the accounts of most children age 10 and under who were born prior to the qualifying date for the federal newborn contribution … Children older than 10 may benefit, too, if funds remain available after initial sign-ups.”

Michael Dell said the effort is meant to “help families feel supported from the start and encourage them to keep saving as their children grow,” while Susan Dell emphasized their hope that the investment signals that “their communities care, their government, their country cares about them.”

Susan Dell said “we’re thrilled to be spearheading this,” expressing confidence that additional philanthropists and companies will join.  Michael Dell urged families and employers to contribute whatever they can so the accounts can compound alongside the market for years to come, adding: “we believe the smartest investment we can make is the one in children.”

The federal program, often referred to by the White House as part of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ restricts investments to low-cost index funds or ETFs that track the S&P 500 or “another American stock index.”  With consistent contributions of $5,000 a year and modest market growth, a typical account could reach nearly $191,000 by age 18. Sign-ups will begin July 4, 2026—a date the Dells chose to align with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Families must activate accounts, though every eligible child will receive an initial deposit automatically once enrolled. Priority for Dell-funded deposits will go to younger children if demand exceeds available funds.

Editorial credit: bluestork / Shutterstock.com