Staff Reports
Today Washington, D.C. was rocked by a brazen shooting just two blocks from the White House in which members of our National Guard were struck down while serving their country. Authorities say at least two National Guardsmen were shot in the area of 17th and I Streets NW and that the scene was secured with a suspect taken into custody as the White House went into lockdown.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed the gravity of the incident and the state’s grief, noting the soldiers were among those deployed to keep the capital safe during a period of heightened tension. Emergency responders transported three people to hospitals, and law enforcement — including the Secret Service and ATF — swarmed the area to protect the American people and preserve the scene.
This attack did not happen in a vacuum. The presence of thousands of National Guard troops in downtown D.C. has been a subject of debate since the federalized deployment ordered earlier this year, and critics on all sides have argued about how the capital is secured. Whatever the legal fights over deployments, the duty is obvious: when our uniformed men and women stand watch, they must be protected, and failures to do so are unforgivable.
Enough of the hand-wringing and virtue signaling from politicians who prefer headlines to results. This is a moment for action, not platitudes — for shoring up protections around sensitive federal sites, backing the men and women who carry the load, and demanding that those who failed to prevent this attack answer for it. Conservative Americans should be loud and clear: support our troops, fund law enforcement, and stop coddling crime in the name of ideology.
President Trump and other leaders have condemned the attack and called for swift justice, while Homeland Security and local officials continue their investigation. There must be a thorough, transparent probe and immediate accountability — the families of the fallen deserve no less than our full resources and attention.
Pray for the victims, stand with the brave National Guard members who put themselves between danger and the American people, and remember that security is not optional in a free nation. If Washington can’t keep its watchmen safe two blocks from the White House, then Americans must demand better leadership, firmer policies, and relentless support for law and order.
