Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin has issued a stark warning regarding recent actions concerning Afghan migrants brought into the country. The senator alleges that Taliban forces in Afghanistan continue to exert influence over families of some individuals granted asylum under the Biden administration’s program.

His statement gains particular urgency following an attack near Washington, D.C., where two U.S. National Guard members were killed by a gunman identified as Rahmanullah Lakunwal, another Afghan national brought into America under similar policies. While specifics linking Lakunwal directly to his family or the Taliban are not confirmed, Mullin’s claim highlights concerns about vetting processes.

The incident underscores what critics already argued: that facilitating tens of thousands of Afghan nationals’ entry post-withdrawal created inherent security vulnerabilities. This alleged ongoing situation raises questions about whether these risks were fully anticipated despite the lack of definitive proof connecting this particular attack to broader leverage tactics by the Taliban.