Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard sharply criticized Rep. Bennie Thompson on Friday after he referred to the fatal shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., as an “unfortunate accident.”
Gabbard made the comments during an interview on Fox & Friends, calling Thompson’s description of the incident “absolutely infuriating.”
What did Bennie Thompson say?
Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, made the remark during a “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” hearing on Thursday.
While questioning Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Thompson said:
“Madam Secretary, you and the gentleman from NCTC reference the unfortunate accident that occurred with the National Guardsman being killed.”
How did Noem respond?
Noem immediately pushed back.
“You think that was an unfortunate accident?” she said. “It was a terrorist attack.”
Gabbard condemns the language
Gabbard said Thompson’s wording downplayed a deadly act of violence.
“He cannot and refuses to directly identify this attack for what it was,” Gabbard said. “A terrorist attack on our own soil against our National Guard men and women who put their lives on the line.”
She added that the exchange highlighted a deeper issue within U.S. leadership.
“This points to an egregious and longstanding problem,” Gabbard said. “Leaders on both sides of the aisle have refused to identify this Islamist terrorist threat for what it is.”
What happened in Washington, D.C.?
On Thanksgiving Eve, two West Virginia National Guard members were shot just blocks from the White House.
Authorities say an Afghan refugee carried out the attack.
- Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed
- Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was critically wounded
The suspect now faces a first-degree murder charge.
Thompson later walks back remarks
Following backlash, Thompson appeared Friday on CNN News Central. Anchor Kate Bolduan asked whether he still stood by his description of the shooting.
“Oh, absolutely not,” Thompson replied.
He said his comments focused on rebutting claims that former President Joe Biden was responsible for the incident. Thompson argued that Secretary Noem approved the suspect’s asylum application.
Why the remarks matter
Gabbard said the Guard members were on duty to protect the public and deserved clarity from national leaders.
“Their direct mission was to keep the American people safe,” she said.
Ultimately, the debate has intensified scrutiny over how U.S. officials label acts of domestic terrorism — and whether political language obscures accountability.
