Republicans share blame for National Guard shooter

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 12.11.25

The tragic shooting of two National Guard soldiers has Republicans blaming others for what they did. The suspected shooter would never have been here without them.

President Bush invaded Afghanistan because al-Qaeda launched the 9/11 attacks from Afghanistan, protected by the Taliban. American forces occupied Afghanistan so it could never again become a terrorist base.

Trump opposed the occupation. In 2012, Trump said, “Afghanistan is a complete waste. Time to come home!” In 2013, Trump said, “we should leave Afghanistan immediately.” In 2015, Trump said Afghanistan “will collapse about two seconds after” we leave. As president, Trump ensured collapse would be inevitable.

In 2019, Trump invited the Taliban to meet secretly at Camp David to arrange American withdrawal. National Security Adviser John Bolton warned Trump not to get in bed with killers drenched in American blood. Bolton’s warning proved prophetic: a Taliban attack killed an American and the meeting was cancelled.

In 2020, Trump signed an agreement with the Taliban to withdraw American forces by 2021. Just before leaving office, Trump slashed American forces to a skeleton crew of 2,500. We withdrew completely in 2021, as Trump agreed, and the Taliban returned.

The National Guard shooting suspect worked for C.I.A.-backed “Zero Units” — paramilitaries that conducted secret missions across Afghanistan. They were the most extensively vetted Afghans who worked with American forces. As Afghanistan collapsed, Zero Units secured U.S. bases while we evacuated the remaining Americans.

Afterwards, 192 Republicans, including David Rouzer, voted for the ALLIES Act granting Special Immigration Visas to Afghans, like the suspect, who worked for the Zero Units and helped us evacuate. In an October 2021 letter, NC Republicans, including Rouzer, demanded that they be evacuated “quickly and safely.” In a September 2024 report, House Republicans criticized Biden for not issuing MORE Special Immigration Visas to Afghans who helped us, like the suspect.

Republicans can’t blame Democrats: Trump’s State Department granted the suspect asylum in April.

Michael Maisel

Sunset Beach