2 National Guard members shot in attack just blocks from the White House
Washington (AP): Two West Virginia National Guard members who deployed to the nation's capital were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence that the mayor described as a targeted attack.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the Guard members were hospitalised in critical condition.
The presence of the National Guard in the nation's capital has been a flashpoint issue for months, fuelling a court fight and a broader public policy debate about the Trump administration's use of the military to combat what officials cast as an out-of-control crime problem.
Jeffrey Carroll, an executive assistant DC police chief, said investigators had no information on a motive. He said the assailant "came around the corner" and immediately started firing at the troops, citing video reviewed by investigators.
"This was a targeted shooting," Bowser said.
West Virginia Gov Patrick Morrisey initially said the troops had died, but later walked back the statement to say his office was "receiving conflicting reports" about their condition.
A suspect who was in custody also was shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The Trump administration quickly ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington following the shooting. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump asked him to send the extra troops.
Nearly 2,200 troops currently are assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the government's latest update.
Troops held down the shooter
The shooting happened roughly two blocks northwest of the White House near a metro station.
After hearing the gunfire, other troops in the area ran over and held down the shooter after he was shot, Carroll said.
"It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard," Carroll said, adding that it was not clear whether one of the Guard members or a law enforcement officer shot the suspect.
"At this point, we have no other suspects," Carroll said at a news conference.
At least one of the Guard members exchanged gunfire with the shooter, said another law enforcement official who was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Social media video shared in the immediate aftermath showed first responders performing CPR on one of the troops and treating the other on a glass-covered sidewalk.
Witnesses saw people fleeing
Stacy Walters said she was in a car near the scene when she heard two gunshots and saw people running. Almost instantly, law enforcement swarmed the area. "It's such a beautiful day. Who would do this? And we're getting ready for the holidays?"
Emma McDonald, who exited a metro station just after the shots were fired, said she and a friend sought safety with others in a cafe. McDonald told the AP that minutes later she saw first responders rolling a stretcher carrying a National Guard member whose head was covered in blood.
More than 300 West Virginia National Guard members were deployed to Washington in August. Last week, about 160 of them volunteered to extend their deployment until the end of the year while the others returned to West Virginia just over a week ago.
Police tape cordoned off the scene where fire and police vehicle lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead. Agents from the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on scene, as National Guard troops stood sentry nearby. At least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.
Trump vows that shooter will pay
Trump, who was in Florida for Thanksgiving, warned in a statement on social media that the "animal" who shot the guard members "will pay a very steep price."
"God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"
In Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Vice President JD Vance urged "everybody who's a person of faith" to pray for the two Guard members. He cautioned that much remained unknown, including the motive of the shooter.
"I think it's a sombre reminder that soldiers, whether they're active duty, reserve or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America," Vance said as he delivered a Thanksgiving message to troops.
Trump issued an emergency order in August that federalised the local police force and sent in National Guard troops from eight states and the District of Columbia. The order expired a month later, but the troops remained.
Last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the deployment but also put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either remove the troops or appeal the decision.
The Guard members have patrolled neighbourhoods, train stations and other locations, participated in highway checkpoints and been assigned to pick up trash and to guard sports events.
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No deadline extension for Waqf registration, ministry will not impose penalties for 3 months: Rijiju
New Delhi (PTI): Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday ruled out extending the deadline for registering Waqf properties on the UMEED portal but said his ministry, recognising the concerns of 'mutawallis' or caretakers, will not impose any penalty or take strict action for the next three months as a humanitarian and facilitative measure.
He also said that 1.51 lakh properties had been registered by Friday morning.
The minister stressed that those 'mutawallis (Waqf property caretakers) who have not registered on the portal at all can approach their respective Waqf tribunals.
The Centre launched The Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act central portal on June 6 to create a digital inventory.
According to the provisions of the portal, details of all registered Waqf properties across the country must be uploaded within six months. The six-month deadline for registration ends at 11:59:59 pm on December 6, 2025.
The six-month deadline mandated under the Waqf Amendment Act cannot be extended due to the provisions of the act, and clear directions of the Supreme Court, the minister said.
However, recognising the concerns of 'mutawallis', the minister assured that the ministry will not impose any penalties or take strict action for the next three months as a "humanitarian and facilitative measure".
The ministry also issued a clarification and said Rijiju has never stated that the deadline for Waqf property upload on the UMEED Portal has been extended.
"Mutawallis who are unable to complete registration process by 11:59:59 pm on 6th December, 2025 can approach the Waqf Tribunal, which has the legal authority to grant an extension. The minister has repeatedly emphasised that any change in the legally mandated timeline is not possible, as it is bound by the law passed by Parliament and upheld by the Supreme Court. The minister's statement is therefore fully consistent with the law," the ministry said.
Earlier, Rijiju said, "After making the Waqf law, we had launched the UMEED portal and a six-month duration was given to the concerned parties to register all the Waqf properties on the portal."
"Many MPs and social leaders came to me requesting that problems are being faced in registering more than 9 lakh Waqf properties and it is the last day today, so the deadline should be extended. Till now, more than 1.51 lakh Waqf properties have been registered on the UMEED portal," he said.
Some states have done well like Karnataka and Punjab and also Jammu and Kashmir but some others have lagged behind.
Rijiju said in some places, the UMEED portal was slow while some people did not have the papers.
"I assure all 'mutawallis' who tried but could not complete the registration process... for the next three months, we will not impose any penalties or take any strict action," he said.
Those who have not been able to come on the portal must approach their respective tribunals.
The Supreme Court was clear on its instructions that the date cannot be extended, he said.
The government, through the Ministry of Minority Affairs, has said it is committed to modernizing Waqf administration and unlocking the full developmental potential of Waqf properties for the benefit of minority communities.
