Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin goes silent on past Trump-guard shooting warnings after National Guard DC attack
Sen. Elissa Slotkin has faced criticism after declining to comment about her 2025 warnings that former President Trump discussed using troops to shoot protesters, following a deadly National Guard shooting in Washington, D.C., that raised new questions.
- Slotkin warned in 2025 about past comments allegedly suggesting troops could be ordered to use force; reporting ties those remarks to Fox News.
- She co-led a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders and later said she was notified of an FBI counterterrorism inquiry, according to Michigan Public Radio.
- After a D.C. shooting that left one guardsman dead, Slotkin’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment, fueling scrutiny (Fox News).
The controversy: Slotkin’s warnings and recent silence
Sen. Slotkin has repeatedly publicly warned that a president might order troops to take violent action against U.S. protesters. She cited comments attributed to former Defense Secretary Mark Esper — reported in memoir excerpts — that the president had asked about sending troops into Washington and, if necessary, to “shoot at their legs”. Those details are discussed in coverage by Fox News.
Background: the video to troops and why it mattered
In November 2025, Slotkin joined six other Democratic lawmakers — all veterans of the military or intelligence communities — in a video telling active-duty service members they could and must refuse illegal orders. The message was direct: “You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.” Lawmakers said the video responded to concerns from armed services and intelligence personnel worried about being asked to carry out potentially unlawful domestic missions (Fox News; Michigan Public Radio).
“You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.”
Trump’s response and the FBI inquiry
Then-President Trump publicly denounced the video, labeling the lawmakers’ actions as “seditious behavior” and using language that many outlets characterized as alarming. The White House later sought to clarify that the language was not a call to execute members of Congress. The administration framed the video as urging troops to disobey a commander in chief (Michigan Public Radio).
Slotkin said she was later notified of an FBI counterterrorism inquiry into her and five other Democrats who participated in the video, which she described as politically charged; she defended the message as a lawful warning for service members (Michigan Public Radio).
Personal toll: threats and heightened security
Slotkin reported a sharp increase in death threats and harassment after the president’s comments, including a bomb threat at her family farm. She said her family received around-the-clock security following the backlash. Video commentary from Slotkin on these threats is publicly available (video).
The National Guard D.C. shooting: what we know
Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national and former member of a counterterrorism unit in Afghanistan. The Wednesday attack left one guardsman dead and another critically wounded. The FBI is investigating the incident as a targeted act of terrorism while motive remains under review (Fox News).
Reporters pressed Slotkin on whether her earlier statements about potential orders to use force on U.S. soil related to the D.C. shooting. As of reporting, her office did not respond to multiple requests for comment and has not clarified any connection (Fox News).
Implications for Paso Robles, California
Although the story is national in scope, it has potential local effects for communities like Paso Robles:
- Economic impact: Tourism and wine businesses could face higher security costs and changes to booking patterns if national security stories affect visitor confidence.
- Political consequences: Local conservative-leaning voters may see the episode as evidence of federal overreach or politicization of the military, prompting calls for oversight and constituent outreach.
- Social effects: A sizable veteran population could experience heightened anxiety; community groups and veteran service organizations may receive increased demand for support.
- Practical actions: Residents can raise questions at town halls, contact federal representatives about Guard briefings, or consult county veteran service officers for guidance.
Sourcing and verification
This article draws on reporting from multiple outlets and public statements. Key coverage on Slotkin’s silence and past comments is available from Fox News. Reporting on the video, the FBI inquiry, and personal threats comes from Michigan Public Radio. A public posting of Slotkin discussing threats is accessible as a video.
Reporter notes
This report reflects publicly available statements and news reporting. Officials cited include Sen. Elissa Slotkin and accounts attributed to former Defense Secretary Mark Esper as reported in media coverage. Slotkin’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The FBI is leading the investigation into the D.C. shooting and has identified a suspect while motive remains under investigation (Fox News; Michigan Public Radio).
