Sen. Elissa Slotkin Goes Silent on Past Trump Shooting Claims After D.C. National Guard Attack
Sen. Elissa Slotkin remained silent when asked about past claims that former President Trump told then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper to “shoot at their legs” amid 2020 protests, after a D.C. National Guard shooting renewed attention to her warnings.
Key takeaways
- Slotkin did not respond to multiple requests about prior statements quoting President Trump, as reported by Fox News.
- The contested phrasing appears in Mark Esper’s memoir A Sacred Oath, which Trump denies; reporting is cited by Fox News.
- Slotkin joined other Democrats in a November 2025 video urging troops to refuse unlawful orders; the post drew an FBI counterterrorism inquiry and a surge in threats, per Michigan Public.
- A recent D.C. National Guard shooting that left one member dead refocused attention on those warnings; the FBI is investigating the attack as terrorism, with suspect identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal (Fox News).
Background: Slotkin’s warnings and the Esper memoir
Senator Elissa Slotkin has been a vocal critic of mixing political pressure with military action during the Trump administration. In testimony to a congressional committee she cited language from former Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s memoir A Sacred Oath, saying the president asked Esper to send U.S. troops into Washington, D.C., and asked,
“can’t you just ‘shoot at their legs?'”
Trump has denied making those remarks (Fox News).
The November video and public backlash
In November 2025 Slotkin joined six other Democratic lawmakers — including Sen. Mark Kelly and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Maggie Hassan — in a recorded message urging military and intelligence members not to follow orders that would break the law or violate the Constitution. The message emphasized that the Uniform Code of Military Justice allows service members to refuse illegal commands (Fox News).
President Trump reacted sharply on social media, labeling the video “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH.” That remark drew backlash and a later White House clarification that the president did not intend lawmakers to be executed, though criticism of the lawmakers continued (Michigan Public).
FBI investigation and security concerns
Following the video and the president’s post, the FBI opened a counterterrorism investigation into Slotkin and the other lawmakers. Slotkin reported a dramatic rise in death threats and harassment, including a bomb threat at property tied to her family. She says the inquiries and rhetoric had tangible, dangerous consequences for her family and staff (Michigan Public).
Slotkin has maintained the video was produced after numerous service members and intelligence personnel privately contacted her office, expressing worry about being ordered to carry out unlawful actions during civil unrest: “It was the sheer number of [military] people coming to us and saying ‘I’m worried… I’m concerned I’m going to be asked to do something that I don’t know if I should do.'” (Michigan Public).
The D.C. National Guard shooting that prompted renewed questions
A recent D.C. National Guard shooting left one Guard member dead and another critically injured, refocusing attention on Slotkin’s earlier warnings. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a former member of a counterterrorism team in Afghanistan. Prosecutors have charged him with first-degree murder and the FBI described the attack as targeted and opened a terrorism investigation (Fox News).
When reporters asked Slotkin whether the D.C. shooting validated her prior concerns about orders to use lethal force, her office did not respond to multiple requests for comment, according to reporting (Fox News).
Why this matters now
The episode ties together national concerns about the role of the military in domestic protests, the legal bounds of orders, the personal security of elected officials, and the impact of incendiary rhetoric. The FBI’s role in both the post-video inquiry and the D.C. shooting probe elevates the issue to law enforcement and national security levels.
For moderates, the case raises questions about balancing security with civil liberties. It also shows how a single social-media post from a former president can ripple across institutions and public safety.
Implications for Fresno, California
This national story has local resonance in Fresno and the Central Valley. Below are practical effects and resources residents and local leaders should consider.
Economic impact
- Federal security responses and investigations could shift local resource needs and create short-term contracting or grant opportunities for Fresno-area firms tied to homeland security.
- Families of National Guard members in Fresno County may face financial strain if deployments or investigations remove Guardsmen from civilian employment.
Political consequences
- Moderate voters may reevaluate priorities on national security and military oversight; local leaders could face sharper questions at town halls about the proper use of force.
- Law-and-order voters could push for stronger protections for troops and law enforcement, reshaping local political dynamics.
Social effects
- Fresno’s large veteran and reservist communities may feel heightened anxiety; community groups and veterans’ services may need to offer more outreach and counseling.
- Local events, protests, and parades may see increased scrutiny and planning adjustments to ensure safety and clear chains of command if Guard assistance is involved.
Cultural relevance
Fresno’s diverse population, including families with refugee backgrounds and ties to military service, may experience complex reactions to a story involving an Afghan national suspect and national debates over loyalty and safety.
Practical applications for residents
- Contact the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office or state Guard leadership for current guidance on deployments and protections for local Guardsmen.
- Constituents who want to weigh in on policy should reach out to California’s congressional delegation and state lawmakers about potential federal funding or Guard oversight.
- Local candidates and officials may be asked to clarify stances on domestic military deployments and protections for service members who refuse unlawful orders.
Relevant local resources
- Fresno County Veterans Service Office — veteran support and guidance.
- Fresno County Sheriff’s Office — public safety updates and event security advice.
- Local community centers and veterans’ groups — counseling and legal referrals.
Sources and attribution
- Fox News, “Slotkin goes silent when pressed past Trump guard shooting claims after DC attack”
- Michigan Public, “Slotkin says she faces FBI inquiry, more death threats after video; Trump called seditious”
- Mark Esper, A Sacred Oath (memoir), as cited in reporting (see Fox News).
Reporting in this article is based on accounts from Fox News and Michigan Public, and on public remarks by Senator Slotkin and published sources.
