‘Makes Me Mad!’ Mullin Slams Slotkin After Warning That National Guard Could Fire on Civilians

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) on Saturday sharply criticized Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) after she warned that National Guard troops deployed to U.S. cities could, under stress, fire on civilians. Slotkin made the comments in an ABC interview and as part of a video urging service members not to follow unlawful orders; her remarks came days before two National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C., one of whom later died.

Mullin appeared alongside host Kayleigh McEnany, who played a clip of Slotkin's ABC interview. In that appearance, Slotkin cautioned that heightened stress among uniformed personnel sent to cities could lead to dangerous mistakes.

It makes me incredibly nervous that we’re about to see people in law enforcement, people in uniform military get nervous, get stressed, shoot at American civilians. It is a very, very stressful situation for these law enforcement and for the communities on the ground. So it was basically a warning to say, like, if you’re asked to do something particularly against American citizens, you have the ability to go to your JAG officer and push back.

Slotkin's remarks were tied to a video she recorded with other Democratic lawmakers — many with military or intelligence backgrounds — urging troops to refuse unlawful orders and warning of perceived threats to constitutional norms if the military were deployed against American citizens.

The video drew an angry response from former President Donald Trump, who labeled the lawmakers' statements 'seditious behavior' and later suggested such conduct could be 'punishable by death.'

Days after Slotkin's interview, two National Guard members, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolf, 24, and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, were shot in Washington, D.C.; Beckstrom later died from her injuries. Authorities have charged Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, with first-degree murder in connection with the shootings.

Mullin demanded an apology to everyone who wears a uniform and accused Slotkin of political posturing. He called her remarks an insult to service members and law enforcement and said she was auditioning for a future presidential run.

She should know better. She’s former CIA and what she’s doing is auditioning to run for president in 2028. What she’s saying is absolutely ridiculous. That’s such an insult to every man and woman that has ever served this great nation, either from law enforcement or in the military... She owes every single person in uniform an apology.

Mullin also denounced the lawmakers' reassurance to troops that they "have your back," calling it "bullcrap," and accused Slotkin of telling service members to second-guess orders while simultaneously offering political cover. The exchange highlights the polarizing debate over civilian control, troop deployments at home, and the political fallout from public statements made by elected officials.