Slotkin Silent on Past Warnings About Trump, Military Orders After D.C. Guard Shooting; FBI Probe Looms
Sen. Elissa Slotkin faces scrutiny after past warnings about President Trump’s alleged push to use military force resurfaced following a D.C. National Guard shooting; a video urging troops to refuse unlawful orders drew presidential condemnation and an FBI inquiry.
- Key takeaways:
- Slotkin previously said President Trump asked then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper to send troops into Washington and allegedly suggested shooting protesters’ legs — reported by Fox News.
- In November 2025, Slotkin and six other Democrats released a “refuse unlawful orders” video advising service members of their rights under the Uniform Code of Military Justice — reported by Fox News and Michigan Public Radio.
- Trump called the video “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR”, spurring threats against Slotkin and an FBI counterterrorism inquiry into her and five other Democrats — reported by Michigan Public Radio.
Background: What Slotkin said and why it matters
Sen. Elissa Slotkin has repeatedly warned about the risk that political leaders could order U.S. military forces to act against civilians. In January testimony she recounted an account from then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper — later detailed in his memoir — that President Trump asked to send the 82nd Airborne into Washington and allegedly asked, “can’t you just ‘shoot at their legs?'” Slotkin and others say these warnings were meant to highlight the potential for unlawful commands and to emphasize legal protections for service members. Reporting on this account is available from Fox News.
The “Refuse illegal orders” video and congressional action
In November 2025, Slotkin and six other congressional Democrats released a short video directed at military and intelligence personnel. Lawmakers in the video — including Sen. Mark Kelly and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Maggie Goodlander — told service members they have the right and duty to refuse orders that violate law or the Constitution. Supporters say the message was aimed at clarifying legal protections under the Uniform Code of Military Justice; reporting on the video appears at Fox News and Michigan Public Radio.
Slotkin: The video was a response to private concerns from active-duty and intelligence personnel about unclear legal authority for domestic deployments, not political theater.
Trump’s response and the FBI investigation into Democrats
President Trump publicly denounced the video as “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR” and used social media to call for harsh repercussions, language that was later softened by a White House statement. The posts generated threats against lawmakers and prompted the FBI to open a counterterrorism inquiry into Slotkin and five other Democrats. Slotkin called the inquiry evidence that the warning was necessary and warned federal power could be used to target political opponents. Reporting on the controversy is available from Michigan Public Radio.
Silence after the D.C. guard shooting
A Wednesday shooting in Washington, D.C., left one National Guard member dead and another critically wounded. Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a former counterterrorism team member; the FBI is investigating the attack as targeted and an act of terrorism. When reporters pressed Slotkin on her past comments linking Trump to the alleged “shoot at their legs” remark and on the video, she did not respond and her office did not answer multiple requests for comment, according to reporting by Fox News.
What supporters and critics say
Supporters contend the video was about protecting service members and upholding the rule of law. They argue the intent was educative: to inform service members of legal duties when faced with potentially unlawful orders.
Critics say the video was politically provocative and risked undermining military discipline. They point to the presidential label of “seditious behavior” and argue political speech by lawmakers can carry real operational consequences; the subsequent FBI inquiry intensified these critiques (Michigan Public Radio).
Slotkin’s perspective and safety concerns
Slotkin has said the investigation demonstrates how power dynamics can threaten opponents and has framed the video as a narrow effort to reassure active-duty and intelligence personnel about legal protections. She reported receiving thousands of death threats after the president’s posts, including a bomb threat to her family farm. See Michigan Public Radio for more.
Implications for The Inland Empire, California
The episode has several potential local impacts for the Inland Empire:
Economic impact
The region’s economy is strongly linked to the military and defense contracting. Public debate about domestic military orders and an FBI probe into members of Congress could create uncertainty for businesses that depend on federal contracts.
Political consequences
As a politically diverse swing region, voters may weigh rule-of-law concerns against worries about politicizing the military. Local candidates may push for clearer limits on domestic deployments or stronger service-member protections.
Social effects
Reporting that names an Afghan national suspect could raise anxiety among Afghan and immigrant communities. Community groups may seek reassurances from local officials that there will be no retaliation against residents because of service or national origin.
Cultural relevance
The message that service members can refuse unlawful orders resonates in a region with many veterans and families with ties to national service; at the same time, talk of sedition and federal probes may deepen mistrust of Washington.
Practical applications
- Host community briefings with military liaisons to explain National Guard deployment rules.
- Advise businesses with federal contracts on contingency planning.
- Expand outreach to immigrant and veteran groups to reduce fear and misinformation.
- Urge elected officials to clarify policy on domestic military use and legal protections for service members.
Reporting and next steps
This story is developing. Slotkin’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment about her past remarks or the video. Journalists and local officials should expect ongoing debate over the limits of political speech, the role of the military in domestic settings, and any legal actions tied to the FBI counterterrorism inquiry. Sources include Fox News and Michigan Public Radio.
