President Donald Trump reshared a provocative social media post on Saturday that made inflammatory claims about Afghan people and their understanding of modern technology.
The post, originally written by Robert O’Neill—a Navy SEAL veteran who has claimed credit for killing Osama bin Laden—suggested that Afghans would react violently to being shown a Nespresso coffee machine. O’Neill’s message on X appeared to criticize U.S. immigration policy toward Afghan refugees.
Trump amplified the post on Truth Social in the wake of a Wednesday shooting in Washington DC that left one National Guard member dead and another wounded. The suspected shooter has been identified as an Afghan national who came to the United States during the 2021 evacuation from Kabul.
The Shooting and Its Aftermath
The attack claimed the life of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, while Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, sustained injuries and remains hospitalized. DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated the two service members had been sworn in less than a day before the incident occurred.
Authorities identified the suspected gunman as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, who arrived in the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome, a program that resettled approximately 85,000 Afghans—many of whom had assisted American forces—following the 2021 military withdrawal.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that Lakanwal had previously worked with U.S. forces in Kandahar as part of a partner force, though that relationship ended shortly after the evacuation. The motive for the shooting has not been determined.
Policy Response
The Trump administration moved quickly to restrict immigration from Afghanistan. By Thursday morning, all immigration processing for Afghan nationals was halted indefinitely pending review of security and vetting procedures.
Additionally, Trump ordered a comprehensive reexamination of green card holders from 19 designated “countries of concern,” including Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Syria, and Venezuela, among others.
Online Reaction
O’Neill’s original post sparked debate on social media, with some supporting his position while others challenged his characterization of Afghan people. Critics argued his military experience gave him a narrow perspective, while supporters suggested combat veterans have unique insights into security concerns.
The president described the shooting as a “savage attack” and pledged that those responsible would face consequences.
