U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has announced first-degree murder charges against the suspect involved in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The announcement comes as one service member has died from injuries sustained in the attack.
Charges Upgraded Following Guard Member's Death
During an appearance on "Fox & Friends," Pirro confirmed that one National Guard member remains in critical condition while the other succumbed to injuries on Thursday. The initial assault charges have now been elevated to murder in the first degree following the death.
"There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges of assault to murder in the first degree," Pirro stated during her Fox News interview. She emphasized that the investigation continues to develop as authorities work to determine the shooter's motive.
Controversy Over Troop Deployment Intensifies
The shooting has intensified the debate surrounding President Donald Trump's decision to deploy over 2,000 National Guard troops to the capital in August. This deployment followed Trump's executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., despite crime statistics that contradicted this assessment.
Pirro strongly defended the president's action, suggesting Americans "should be grateful" that Trump is taking swift measures to ensure public safety. She made the controversial remark that "there's a part of me that thinks that the left is disappointed that the National Guard didn't shoot someone."
Following Wednesday's shooting incident, Trump has ordered an additional 500 troops to be deployed to the capital. The existing troops have been observed patrolling tourist locations, Metro stations, and performing tasks such as trash collection.
Immigration Status Adds Complexity to Case
The case took another controversial turn when Pirro revealed that the suspect entered the United States legally through a resettlement program implemented by the Biden administration after the 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Pirro questioned the vetting process, stating "If you think there was vetting, I have a bridge to sell you," though she provided no evidence to support her claims. Notably absent from her comments was the fact that the suspect was granted asylum this year under the Trump administration.
Internal directives obtained by The New York Times reveal that military commanders had previously expressed concerns about the deployment, warning that the mission could be perceived as "a target of opportunity."
Despite the controversy, Pirro remained steadfast in her support of the troop presence, declaring during a Thursday press conference that "We ought to kiss the ground and thank God that the president said it's time to bring in more law enforcement" to address violence in a city she described as having "the fourth highest homicide rate in the country."
