Two US National Guards shot near White House

Two US National Guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday near the White House, triggering a major security response and adding new tension to President Donald Trump’s controversial nationwide crime crackdown.

The shooting occurred close to the Farragut West metro station, just two blocks from the White House. Authorities said a suspect has been detained and is receiving treatment for severe injuries.

Initial reports indicated that the two soldiers deployed from West Virginia as part of Trump’s expanded anti-crime operations in Democratic-run cities were critically wounded. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said the troops had “passed away from their injuries,” but later noted that there were “conflicting reports” about their condition.

President Trump, who was at his Florida golf club when the incident occurred, described the suspected shooter as an “animal,” saying the soldiers were “critically wounded” and that the attacker “will pay a very steep price,” in a post on his Truth Social platform.

An AFP journalist near the scene reported several loud gunshots, followed by people running for safety. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as bystanders scrambled for cover.

“We heard gunshots. We were at the traffic light, and suddenly there were several shots,” said Angela Perry, 42, who was driving home with her children. “You could see National Guard members running toward the metro with their weapons drawn.”

Security personnel quickly locked down the area, with officers armed with rifles setting up a perimeter as a helicopter hovered overhead. Emergency responders were seen rushing into the metro station with a stretcher and re-emerging with a wounded soldier in camouflage uniform, who was transported by ambulance.

Washington’s government buildings are heavily guarded, but the wider city continues to struggle with persistent street crime. President Trump has repeatedly highlighted the capital as a model for his decision to place National Guard troops — some armed and in full camouflage — on patrol in major cities including Los Angeles and Memphis.

The policy has faced sharp criticism from local officials, who accuse the administration of inflaming tensions. Multiple legal challenges are ongoing, and just last week, a federal judge ruled that Trump’s deployment of thousands of Guard troops to Washington was unlawful.