A federal judge has cleared the way for nonconsensual feeding of a man charged with fatally shooting a National Guard member and injuring another outside the nation’s capital, ruling that authorities may use a nasogastric tube, intravenous feeding, or stomach tube to sustain him while he remains incarcerated.
U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta issued the order on August 29, permitting the Trump administration’s Department of Justice to force-feed Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, who has refused meals for months while awaiting trial. The order prohibits surgical tube placement through the stomach but allows related lab work needed to monitor his nutrition.
Details of the Shooting and Charges
Lakanwal stands accused in connection with a November shooting near the White House that killed one service member and wounded another. The victim, 20-year-old U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia National Guard, died from her injuries. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, also stationed with the West Virginia National Guard near the White House, survived but was injured in the attack. Both were on duty on the eve of Thanksgiving when the shooting occurred.
The Department of Justice has charged Lakanwal with 17 offenses, including first-degree murder in Beckstrom’s death and attempted murder in connection with Wolfe’s injury. Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Background and Immigration Status
Lakanwal entered the United States under a humanitarian program that was part of the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. After the shooting, the Trump administration paused immigration processing for Afghan nationals, though a federal judge later reversed that freeze. Lakanwal’s deteriorating condition prompted his legal team and medical providers to address his refusal to eat, which has left him visibly gaunt and unable to move without a wheelchair during court appearances.
Judicial Reversal and Timeline
Judge Mehta had previously rejected similar requests from the Trump administration to authorize force-feeding, marking a significant shift in the case. The current order remains in effect until October 28, with the possibility that the Justice Department may request an extension beyond that date. The decision sets standards for the methods authorities may use while explicitly restricting more invasive surgical options.
The case reflects broader tensions surrounding immigration policy, national security, and detention practices in the aftermath of high-profile incidents. Related concerns about public safety and immigration enforcement have surfaced elsewhere in Idaho and the broader region, including community responses to fatal shootings involving federal immigration enforcement.
What Comes Next
Lakanwal’s trial remains ongoing, with the force-feeding order expected to keep him alive and physically present for proceedings through late October. The Justice Department may seek to extend the authorization if the case continues beyond that date, and appellate challenges from Lakanwal’s legal team remain possible as the litigation develops.