The nation watched in horror in late November as an allegedly radicalized Afghan migrant let in by the Biden administration shot two National Guard soldiers who were patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C. Twenty-year-old West Virginian Sarah Beckstrom tragically succumbed to her injuries, while 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe is still fighting for his life. He showed hopeful signs of recovery, it was revealed Monday, and was able to give a thumbs up and wiggle his toes.
The shooting, not surprisingly, drew mixed reactions in our polarized society, with some Democrats blaming Trump because he had ordered the Guard into the capital, while those on the Right were rightly disgusted that some would try to politicize a terrorist attack.
But at the heart of the story is a young victim and her devastated family.
On Thursday, the president announced that the nation would honor her in a very special way: by lowering the American flag to half-staff.
NEW: President Donald J. Trump orders flags be flown at half-staff until sunset in memory of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 4, 2025
Here is the text of the Proclamation:
As a mark of respect for the memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, West Virginia Army National Guard, by the…
His proclamation continues:
As a mark of respect for the memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, West Virginia Army National Guard, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, December 4, 2025. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
READ MORE: Hot Takes: Bluesky Has a Normal One With 'We Told You So' Posts After Horrific National Guard Attack
White House Praises Heroes Shot in Terrorist Attack; New Update on National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe
Indeed, they have been lowered:
The White House lowers flag to half-staff in honor of National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. pic.twitter.com/hpHfAjeDwY
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 4, 2025
Flags at the White House are lowered to half-staff in memory of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 4, 2025
May God bless her family, our National Guard heroes, and the United States of America. 🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/OyOGMc0dv3
Beckstrom, known to her friends as Becky, enlisted in the Guard in 2023 and hoped to one day become an FBI agent. She was known as a positive force with a smile for everyone in her community, Summersville, a city of just under 3,500. Her ex-boyfriend’s mother, Eva Carr, said Beckstrom was like a daughter to her and that “She was the sweetest girl. She was hard not to love. You loved her the minute you met her.”
May she rest in peace.
🇺🇲 Rest in peace, Sarah Beckstrom. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/YETvUzsIXS
— WHISKEY _DREAMS 🥃 (@7Whiskey_dreams) December 1, 2025
Editor's Note: The days of lawlessness in Washington, D.C. are over. Thanks to President Trump, our nation's capital will be SAFE once again.
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