Two National Guard Soldiers Shot Near White House, Suspect In Custody
Trump, who is in Florida, was quickly briefed on the "tragic" situation, a spokeswoman said.
Police and first responders gather near a crime scene after a shooting in downtown Washington, DC, on November 26, 2025. Two members of the National Guard were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House, according to officials, as a spokesperson for Donald Trump said the president has been briefed on the “tragic situation.” Police said they had detained a suspect. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP)
Two US National Guard soldiers were shot and critically wounded Wednesday two blocks from the White House and police said a suspect had been taken into custody.
“Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington DC,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X.
National Guard soldiers gather near a crime scene after a shooting in downtown Washington, DC, on November 26, 2025. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP)
An AFP reporter near the scene said she heard several loud pops that sounded like gunshots, and then saw people running away from Farragut Square, a popular and busy outdoor area near the White House and a subway station.
Trump, who is in Florida, was quickly briefed on the “tragic” situation, a spokeswoman said.
“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Law-enforcement officers secure the area after a shooting in downtown Washington, on November 26, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)
Local authorities confirmed that emergency services responded to and transported three gunshot victims from the area.
Secret Service were seen behind yellow police tape, their guns drawn.
“We heard gunshots. We were waiting at the traffic light and there were several shots, Angela Perry, who was in her car with her two children, told AFP.
“You could see National Guard running toward the metro with their weapons drawn,” the 42-year-old said.
Members of the National Guard gather behind yellow police tape after a shooting in downtown Washington, on November 26, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)
Trump has sent National Guard troops to Democratic-run Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis to combat crime and help enforce his crackdown on undocumented migrants.
Last Thursday a federal judge ruled that Trump’s deployment of thousands of National Guard troops in the US capital is unlawful.
His extraordinary domestic use of the Guard was also challenged by California earlier this year after the president sent troops to Los Angeles to quell protests sparked by the rounding up of undocumented migrants.
