Washington — American public opinion was shaken by a serious attack targeting Americans overseas, sparking outrage and heated debate about national security and immigration policy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the mastermind behind the attack was killed by partner forces, while the Department of Defense is conducting an intensive investigation to determine the full extent of the events.

Speaking to reporters, Hegseth called the perpetrator a “barbarian” and stressed Washington’s firm message: anyone who targets Americans will pay the price. “The spearheaded attacker was killed by partner forces,” he said, adding that the U.S. will not tolerate threats to its citizens and national interests.

Alongside the security response, domestic political controversy quickly erupted. Some conservative politicians and commentators have criticized Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, accusing her of “tolerating illegal immigration” and claiming her positions contribute to undermining security. Omar and her allies strongly refuted these accusations, asserting they were baseless political attributions that diverted attention from holding the real perpetrators of the violence accountable.

Analysts note that, during times of security crisis, political rhetoric often becomes heated, easily leading to attributing policy responsibility to specific individuals. They call for a clear distinction between criminal investigations, military responses, and policy debates, avoiding allowing emotions to influence conclusions.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon stated that the investigation is ongoing, working closely with regional partners to identify support networks and prevent further threats. The U.S. government emphasized that protecting its citizens was its top priority, while maintaining necessary diplomatic and security channels to mitigate the risk of escalation.

The incident was not only a security challenge but also a political test of how America balances a firm response to violence with internal debates about immigration, security, and policy accountability—issues that have deeply divided American society.