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Kristi Noem, the top security official, asserted on the weekend that the individual in the military shooting in Washington DC was radicalized within the US and pointed fingers at the Biden administration, despite the fact that the individual's refugee status was granted under Donald Trump.

Background of the Alleged Attacker

The shooting suspect, in his late twenties the person in question, was awarded protection under the former government in April 2025. He had served alongside CIA backed units in Afghanistan, arriving in the United States in late 2021 under an Operation Allies Welcome.

It is our assessment he was radicalized since he’s been here in this country,” the secretary said on a national news program. “Our investigation indicates the influence came from connections in his home community and region, and we’re going to continue to interview his contacts, who were his family members, who talk to them.”

Administrative Reactions and Immigration Scrutiny

The Trump administration leveraged the event as justification to halt and review asylum and green card applications.

Noem asserted “vetting is happening when they come into the country, a process entirely neglected by the current government”.

“Relevant screening data gathered under the present leadership,” said she. “Security checks all happened during the current term.”

Deportation Operations and Legal Disputes

The official also refuted that she defied a court directive when she ordered removal operations to El Salvador to continue, instead blaming “activist” and “radical” judges.

The comments were prompted by questioning on the news show on Sunday about whether Noem was responsible to continue the removal operations for migrants from Venezuela in recent months, as the Department of Justice claimed.

“We’ll continue acting appropriately, proceed diligently safeguarding citizens, no matter what activist judicial figure comes out attempting to hinder progress,” the secretary said.

She also appeared on ABC’s This Week on the weekend, where she verified the flights were her decision.

“Certainly, I made that decision as it fell under my complete authority in compliance with regulations and the constitution under presidential guidance who is dedicated to getting dangerous criminal terrorists and organized crime groups out of our country,” Noem said. “This is an activist judge and I understand, you know, legal proceedings continue with this against this activist judge who’s continuously tried to block our efforts from protecting the American people.”

Legal Assertions and Contempt Inquiry

The federal legal body asserted the action did not violate the judge’s order. US district Judge the presiding official in the capital had directed deportation flights mid-flight return to the US in March 2025, but the secretary ordered those operations underway carrying migrants to El Salvador proceed, with the justice department claiming the detainees were no longer in US territory.

Boasberg has been subject to a compliance investigation into whether the Trump administration defied his March court order.