Senator Tom Cotton Labels West Virginia National Guard Attack Preventable, Cites Afghan Vetting Failures
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The recent attack on two members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, D.C., has reignited fierce debate over the consequences of the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and the vetting of Afghan evacuees brought to the United States. Senator Tom Cotton sharply criticized the administration, calling the assault “entirely preventable” and linking it directly to failures in vetting Afghan nationals who arrived during the chaotic evacuation.
U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe were assaulted in an incident that has raised alarms about national security and the safety of American service members on domestic soil. Senator Cotton extended his prayers and support to the families and fellow troops of Beckstrom and Wolfe, emphasizing the honor they brought to their country and home state.
In a statement published on December 12, 2025, Cotton condemned the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghan withdrawal as a “grave national humiliation” that continues to bear consequences years after U.S. forces left the region. He pointed to an alarming pattern of incidents involving Afghan nationals who were admitted under the administration’s migrant program, including a recent arrest in Texas of an Afghan individual charged with threats to build a bomb and carry out a suicide attack.
“This tragedy — which allegedly occurred at the hands of an improperly vetted Afghan national who came to America in the chaos of the withdrawal — was entirely preventable,” Cotton said. He underscored that the rushed and ill-planned departure from Afghanistan created vulnerabilities that have since endangered American lives.
The senator’s remarks echo warnings made during the Trump administration. In 2017, then-President Donald Trump cautioned against a rapid exit from Afghanistan, drawing parallels to the 2011 withdrawal from Iraq, which he said created a vacuum that allowed ISIS to flourish. Trump stated, “The consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable,” and warned against repeating those mistakes.
Since the withdrawal, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have faced increasing pressure to tighten vetting processes for Afghan evacuees. Recent weeks have seen multiple arrests of Afghan nationals linked to threats against the United States, including a third arrest in Virginia, according to DHS officials.
The attack on Beckstrom and Wolfe has also intensified calls in Congress for sweeping immigration reforms. Republican lawmakers argue that the current vetting procedures failed to adequately assess the risks posed by some evacuees, potentially compromising national security.
While the Biden administration has defended its policies as necessary humanitarian measures, critics maintain that the safety of Americans must remain paramount. The National Guard members’ assault serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges stemming from the withdrawal and the complexities of integrating evacuees.
As investigations continue, the incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of the migrant program and the broader implications of the Afghan withdrawal. Lawmakers and security experts alike emphasize the need for improved vetting protocols to prevent future tragedies.
For more information on immigration enforcement and national security, visit the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement websites.
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