Summary
Overview
This episode examines the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington D.C. by an Afghan immigrant, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, and the Trump administration's sweeping immigration policy response. The Daily traces Lakanwal's journey from CIA-backed Zero Unit operative in Afghanistan through his asylum in the U.S., ultimately exploring how this single incident triggered unprecedented reviews of asylum grants, green cards, and immigration pathways affecting hundreds of thousands of people.
The Shooter's Background in Afghanistan's Zero Unit
Rahmanullah Lakanwal grew up during the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan and was recruited by the CIA to join Zero Unit, an elite group that hunted Taliban members. His brother was a key leader in this unit, which was essential to U.S. security operations but faced allegations of being a 'death squad' conducting extrajudicial killings. Lakanwal reportedly struggled with mental health issues related to the brutal actions his unit undertook, yet remained with Zero Unit until the Taliban's 2021 takeover.
- Lakanwal was only five years old during 9/11 and grew up during the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan
- He was recruited by the CIA to join Zero Unit, a highly trained group that hunted Taliban members and reported to the U.S. government
- Human rights organizations criticized Zero Unit as 'death squads' conducting extrajudicial killings of civilians
- Lakanwal struggled with mental health issues and was traumatized by his experience in Zero Unit
" They were basically a CIA-backed group that hunted Taliban members, were really highly trained and highly vetted by the U.S. government, essentially reported to the U.S. government and went after key leaders in the Taliban power structure. "
" Mr. Lockenwald was going through some mental health issues. And really, in his telling, this was clearly somebody who was traumatized from his experience as a part of zero units. "
The Chaotic U.S. Withdrawal and Vetting Process
When the Taliban retook Afghanistan in 2021, Lakanwal and other Zero Unit members became targets and were among the first evacuated to the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. The Biden administration implemented multiple layers of vetting including biometrics and database checks, but an inspector general found potential security threats had still been allowed entry. Lakanwal settled in Bellingham, Washington with his wife and five children before being granted asylum in April 2025 under the Trump administration.
- Zero Unit members became Taliban targets after the 2021 withdrawal and were among the first evacuated to the U.S. for protection
- Operation Allies Welcome involved multiple vetting layers including biometrics and database checks by DHS and CBP
- An inspector general found the Biden administration had allowed two potential national security threats to enter despite vetting protocols
- Lakanwal was granted asylum in April 2025 during the Trump administration, giving him a pathway to a green card and citizenship
" This was a really hurried process. This wasn't something that was planned years in the making, months in the making. So there were clear issues with this program. "
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