The Five — Detailed Episode Summary

Date: November 27, 2025
Episode: 2 National Guard Troops Shot In DC, Suspect In Custody
Podcast: The Five (FOX News Podcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the breaking news of two National Guard members being shot near the White House in Washington, D.C. The panel discusses the incident, speculates on motives and repercussions, and places it within the broader debate over National Guard deployment in major U.S. cities. The second half transitions into political analysis–from Democratic Party leadership struggles to late-night TV politics–before closing with lighter personal updates.

Key Segments & Timestamps

[00:38] News Alert: Shooting in DC — What We Know

• FBI Director Cash Patel announced two West Virginia National Guard members were shot in a targeted attack about a mile from the White House. Both are in critical condition.
• The suspect, acting alone, is now in custody and was also injured in the exchange.
• The area was less crowded due to the holiday, but there were bystanders and building witnesses. Law enforcement responded rapidly and exchanged gunfire before subduing the assailant.

Notable Quote:

“Officials are calling this a targeted attack... it was not a multiple group attack, but instead one person who was taken into custody, but also was shot.” — Mark Meredith [02:10]

Confusion Over Victim Status:

• Conflicting reports circulated, with Patrick Morrissey, Governor of West Virginia, prematurely stating the Guardsmen had died before retracting.
• The exact condition of the wounded Guardsmen remained unclear during the broadcast.

Political Responses:

• President Trump made a strong social media statement: “...this animal would be brought to justice, and that he would make sure the full resources of the federal government would ensure that justice is served.” [03:12, paraphrased by Mark Meredith]
• Broad bipartisan expressions of support and prayers from lawmakers.

[05:03] National Reflection and Policy Discussion

• Audio clip from Vice President J.D. Vance highlights national gratitude for service members and hope for their recovery.

Quote:

“Let me just say, very personally, thank them for what they’re doing. We’re grateful to them and we’re praying that they’re going to be safe, and they’re going to spend Thanksgiving with their families. God bless them.” — J.D. Vance [05:32]

• Mark Meredith notes that the attack will not deter the Trump administration from continued deployments:

“Secretary Hegseth saying today that they’re going to send even more resources... that D.C. is going to be cleaned up and that these attacks on service members will not be tolerated.” [06:07]

• Debate Around National Guard Presence:
  • Mark Meredith describes visible Guard presence throughout D.C., especially near key corridors and metro stations.
  • He notes that public protest over the Guard’s deployment has diminished and most residents have come to accept their role.

[08:53] Panel: Reactions, Policies, and Political Tensions

• Guy Benson expresses outrage:

“It felt like two different guardsmen getting shot made the likelihood of this being random very low. ... This was a targeted attack. That is outrageous. It is infuriating.” [09:23]

• Guy and Mark agree: Guard presence has sharply reduced violent crime, despite political controversy and local activist hostility.

• Brian Kilmeade emphasizes:

  • The unique danger posed as National Guard are “the most well-armored law enforcement officials you can target.”
  • Assaults on federal agents have skyrocketed by over 1000% since their increased deployment:

    “There’s an increase in assaults on these agents—up 1,115%.” [11:46]

• Political Context (Lisa Booth):

  • Points to prior high-profile violence in DC as reasons for federalizing police/Guard.
  • Criticizes Democratic “soft on crime” policies and the narrative that law enforcement are the “bad guys.”
  • Sees a throughline from Ferguson (2014) to current polarization and targeting of police and federal agents.

Lisa Booth highlights:

“I’m tired of those enforcing law enforcement having targets on their backs... Now is that same narrative being applied to our National Guardsmen as well?” [14:03]

• Jimmy Fala cautions against escalating rhetoric:

“If you don’t agree with what a president’s doing, you’re not supposed to shoot, you’re supposed to vote.” [15:12]

[16:38] Expert Interview: Former NYPD Inspector Paul Morrow

• Paul Morrow explains immediate law enforcement priorities:

  • Incident Command must be unified for information sharing
  • Key is rapid identification of the suspect and investigation of possible group affiliations or further threat
  • Social media often sows confusion in fast-moving investigations:

    “Of the first 100 reports in a situation like this, 99 are going to be wrong.” [19:01]

• Motive & Charges:

  • Given federal land and signs of political targeting, he expects terrorism charges (“you have a much lower bar to get a CT charge, terrorism charge, in D.C. because it’s all federal land”). [22:25]

• Notes loss and sadness among law enforcement about rising attacks on Guard, citing statistics:

  • 238 ICE agents and 40 Border Patrol agents assaulted in past four months, but no National Guard until now [20:19]

[24:22] Segment Shift: National Political Themes

Democratic Party Leadership Vacuum:

• James Carville: Democrats lack a clear leader and won’t have one until nominating a 2028 presidential candidate.
• Eric Swalwell (paraphrased): The “bench” is deep, likens party to the Avengers, with various up-and-coming figures.
• Guy Benson & Jimmy Fala: Skeptical, point out lack of clear message and compare internal fighting to past Republican turmoil.

Lisa Booth:

“Democrats aren’t going to have a leader until the 2028 presidential election. Who was the leader of the Republican Party after Mitt Romney got smoked by former President Obama?... But one area of concern for Republicans... Democrats are more motivated right now than Republicans.” [26:28]

Jessica Tarlov:

“You say we don’t have a leader of the party... We do have a message. It’s affordability however it shows up in your state or your district.” [30:22]

[32:47] Late Night Politics & Fundraising

• “Seditious Six” Democrats & Late Night TV:

  • Mark Kelly and others use their opposition to Trump National Guard policies as a springboard for fundraising and media appearances (Jimmy Kimmel, etc.).
  • Critics claim this is more about PR than meaningful dissent.

• Jimmy Fala:

  “A late night comedian’s job is ... to put you to bed with a smile on your face. Instead, you’re getting the fascists are here. Good night, everybody.” [35:18]

• Lisa Booth & Guy Benson express disappointment in Mark Kelly’s actions and the blurring of political and military ethics.

[38:42] Media Criticism: Trump’s Stamina vs. Biden

• NYT Article Questions Trump’s Energy — Panel dismisses this as biased overreach.

• Lisa Booth:

  “I think Brian Kilmeade is probably the only one that could keep up with President Trump’s energy levels. But Biden spent like 40% of his presidency on vacation...” [39:18]

• Brian Kilmeade:

  • Defends Trump’s work ethic, citing late-night and early-morning phone calls:

    “I’ve spoken to him at five in the morning and he’s wide awake.” [39:51]

• Jessica Tarlov provides balance:

  “The guy is aging. He is an old man. ... I would be dozing off. I totally get it.” [40:40]

[41:57] Closing: “One More Thing” (Personal Updates)

• Guy Benson: Celebrates his son’s 2nd birthday.
• Jimmy Fala: Stand up tour updates; quips about Vegas and blackjack.
• Brian Kilmeade: Announces new show dates and upcoming programs.
• Closing friendly banter sums up the more contentious earlier discussions with good-natured humor.

Notable Quotes

• Mark Meredith [02:10]: “Officials are calling this a targeted attack... one person who was taken into custody, but also was shot.”
• Jessica Tarlov [05:43]: “That was exactly the right sentiment. ... you see that being echoed from members of both parties.”
• Guy Benson [09:23]: “It is infuriating. ...I go out of my way to thank these men and women when I see them out just because they’ve been put in this position …”
• Brian Kilmeade [11:46]: “There’s an increase in assaults on these agents—up 1,115%.”
• Jimmy Fala [15:14]: “If you don’t agree with what a president’s doing, you’re not supposed to shoot, you’re supposed to vote.”

Episode Tone

• Urgent, somber, and patriotic in the wake of the shooting
• Politically charged debate over law enforcement, Guard deployments, and crime
• Critical of “soft on crime” narratives, with concern for law enforcement safety
• Occasional humor and camaraderie break tension, especially in the final segments

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of The Five delivers a real-time response and multifaceted discussion to a tragic attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. The panel mixes breaking news updates, on-the-ground reporting, and sharp commentary on the motives, broader implications, and political ramifications of the event.

The conversation quickly broadens to analyze the deployment of the National Guard, escalating assaults on law enforcement, and whether political rhetoric is fueling violence. Law enforcement insight from a former NYPD inspector adds context to investigative challenges and legal expectations in a rapidly developing case.

Political banter about party leadership, media bias, and late-night TV serve as a palate cleanser after the heavy initial segment, offering pointed (sometimes humorous) criticisms across the political spectrum before concluding with lighter personal anecdotes by the hosts.

This summary covers all major discussions, notable quotes, and presents a clear structure with timestamps, making it ideal for those who want a comprehensive guide to the episode without listening to the full broadcast.