Trump Reports National Guard Member’s Recovery Progress Two Weeks After DC Shooting

President Trump announced promising progress in the recovery of National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was critically wounded in a Thanksgiving eve shooting in Washington, D.C. that claimed the life of another service member.

Speaking at an event in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, Trump told supporters he has maintained close contact with Wolfe’s family since the November 26 ambush that killed 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom.

“Today I got a call that he got up from bed. Do you believe that? He got up,” Trump told the crowd, describing what appears to be a significant milestone in Wolfe’s recovery. “Now, he didn’t speak. He’s not ready for that yet. I mean, you got hit in the head, but he got up, and boy, they’re so happy.”

Trump recounted how Wolfe’s mother maintained unwavering faith in her son’s recovery despite doctors offering little hope initially. “The night that he was so badly hit and the doctors gave him almost no chance, I called their hospital room and spoke to her, and she said, sure, he’ll be fine,” Trump said, quoting the mother’s response. “‘Oh no, I’m telling you, he’s going to. I’m praying, the whole country is praying, sir. I’m telling you, don’t worry about it. He’s going to be fine.'”

According to Trump, Wolfe’s recovery has progressed from small signs of improvement to more significant milestones. “She called to say, ‘Sir, he moved his finger today.’ This is like three days later — ‘he moved his finger.’ And today I got a call that he got up from bed,” Trump explained.

The President praised the medical teams caring for Wolfe, noting “the hospital and the generals that have been there, the military that’s been there — it’s amazing.”

The shooting that injured Wolfe and killed Beckstrom occurred near the Farragut West area of downtown Washington, D.C. Federal prosecutors have charged 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal in connection with the attack, including first-degree murder.

The case has drawn significant national attention, particularly after South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem claimed that Lakanwal had been “radicalized” after arriving in the United States. Law enforcement has not publicly confirmed this assertion in their official statements about the investigation.

Beckstrom, described as “highly respected” by those who knew her, became the victim of what her father called a “horrible tragedy” in a heartbreaking social media post following the attack. Her death has resonated deeply throughout the National Guard community and beyond.

Trump mentioned inviting Wolfe’s parents to the Oval Office following the attack, highlighting the personal attention the administration has given to the case. The shooting of uniformed National Guard members in the nation’s capital raised serious concerns about the safety of military personnel operating in domestic settings.

The National Guard plays a crucial role in both state and federal missions, often deploying members to assist with disaster relief, civil unrest, and other domestic operations. The attack on Wolfe and Beckstrom occurred while they were on duty in Washington, D.C.

As Wolfe continues his recovery, his case has become symbolic of both the dangers faced by service members and the resilience of those who serve. The medical progress reported by Trump represents a hopeful development in what has otherwise been a tragic incident that claimed a young service member’s life and left another fighting for survival.

The White House has not issued additional statements regarding Wolfe’s condition beyond the President’s remarks at the Pennsylvania event.