The Tony Kinnett Cast – Episode 455 Summary

National Guardsmen Shot in DC, Election Lawsuit Tossed in Georgia, Rep. Swalwell Sues
Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Tony Kinnett (The Daily Signal)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Tony Kinnett Cast covers a turbulent week in U.S. news. The centerpiece is the targeted shooting of two National Guardsmen near the White House, discussed in depth with strong commentary on media coverage, political rhetoric, and security implications. Other topics include key judicial developments (notably, the dismissal of the Fulton County, Georgia Trump prosecution) and a legal battle involving Rep. Eric Swalwell. Tony examines these stories with his trademark sharp, direct style, and is joined by guest Kurt Schlichter to dissect political and military controversies. The episode concludes with a lively listener Q&A.

Major Segments & Timestamps

1. National Guardsmen Shot in DC: Breaking Down the Incident
2. Judicial & Political Updates: Guard Deployment, Georgia Case, Swalwell Suit
3. Interview: Kurt Schlichter on “Seditious Six,” Service Record Politics
4. Listener Mailbag & Final Thoughts

1. National Guardsmen Shot in DC: Breaking Down the Incident

[00:33–26:15]

The Shooting – Facts and Immediate Reaction

• What happened: Two West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot at point-blank range during daytime patrol near the White House, in what was quickly identified as a targeted attack.
• Police Report (01:25):
  “At approximately 2:15 this afternoon, members of the D.C. National Guard were on high visibility patrols … when a suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged it at the National Guard members.” [01:28]
  • Suspect was subdued and taken into custody within minutes.
  • Guard members received immediate medical attention and were hospitalized.

Chaos, Media Missteps & Political Statements

• Initial misinformation:
  • WV Gov. Patrick Morrissey prematurely announced the deaths of both soldiers, then backtracked—highlighting the dangers of rushing statements.
  • Tony warns:
    “It’s okay to take a moment, not to be first … check before you get out ahead of your skis and make official statements.” [03:08]
• Motive discussion:
  • Tony calls out media efforts to “spin” the motive, ridiculing suggestions it could be random or related to broader tensions (Israel/Gaza, immigration, etc.): “The idea that there are just two National Guardsmen that just so happened to be the target of some random, unplotted, strange attack… it’s laughable...” [04:34]
  • Criticism of national media (ABC, MSNBC, CNN) for downplaying obvious targeting of uniformed personnel, and for presenting vague political motives.

Official Responses & Targeting of Law Enforcement

• DC Mayor Muriel Bowser:
  “This is a targeted shooting. One individual who appeared to target these Guardsmen. That individual has been taken into custody.” [07:19]
• FBI Director Cash Patel:
  “…the reason that this suspect is in custody is because of the bravery of the men and women of the National Guard who responded… These National Guardsmen are heroes…” [08:18]
• Presidential Statement:
  • Strongly backs law enforcement/guardsmen; calls shooter “the animal” and says:
    “God bless our great National Guard and all of our military and law enforcement. These are truly great people.” [09:44]

Shooter’s Identity & Motive

• Reports (Including sources Nick Sordor and CBS):
  • Suspect identified as Rahmanullah Lal, 29-year-old Afghan national who entered US in 2021.
  • Allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during attack, per law enforcement sources. [11:20–12:01]
  • Tony describes this as “an Islamic terror attack in the United States,” though pending confirmation.
  • Shooter reportedly used a handgun, wounded both guardsmen, and was also injured in the confrontation.

Political Rhetoric, Demonization of the Guard

• Tony’s strong critique:
  “Those who have spent the last couple of months demonizing the National Guard… openly advocating the National Guard are some kind of pre-1930s Nazis… painting targets on their backs.” [11:30, 17:25]
• Notable quote:

  “When you tell people their lives are on the line, when you tell people you’re like an animal and they’re like the Nazis… How do you think people are going to respond to that?” [19:06]

• Responses from public figures:
  • Criticism of politicians (Gov. Pritzker, Gov. Newsom, Sen. Slotkin, Sen. Kelly) for rhetoric Tony claims “invites violence” against the Guard.
  • Jane Mayer (New Yorker) is lambasted for suggesting troops “had nothing to do but pick up trash.”
  • Social media reactions include some on the left praising the attack, which Tony denounces at length:
    “I'm over it. The idea that I'd sit here, someone's saying, yeah, I really like it when people are shot and killed … that's good. People should be killing more National Guardsmen.” [25:31]

2. Judicial & Political Updates: Guard Deployment, Georgia Case, Swalwell Suit

[31:01–44:57]

National Guard Legal Disputes

• Federal Judge Gia Cobb ruled last week that Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to DC was (temporarily) unlawful, arguing it exceeded executive authority for “crime deterrence” without a city request. [31:10]
• But:
  • DC is federal territory, local officials approved Guard presence; Tony asserts the judge “can’t really do that.”
  • DOJ seeking an emergency stay after the shooting to keep/expand Guard presence.

Major Court Rulings

• 2020 Georgia Case Dismissed (Fulton Co. RICO/Election):
  • Judge Scott McAfee dismissed the criminal prosecution of Trump and co-defendants due to procedural and prosecutorial issues.
  • Tony’s reaction:
    “A big womp womp. To Fanni Willis, our thoughts and prayers are certainly with you. And you're a clown.” [35:42]

Rep. Eric Swalwell Lawsuit

• Background:
  • Swalwell, after being sued by DOJ for mortgage fraud (alleged false primary-residence claim on a DC home as a California rep), is countersuing FHA Director Bill Pulte for “violating the Privacy Act and First Amendment.”
• Quote of ridicule:

  “Eric Swalwell is suing the guy who opened the filing cabinet and pulled out the mortgage documents Eric Swalwell illegally signed knowingly. … My favorite part of the Constitution. (George) Oral signed it and then said, you know what, I think we should make sure that the First Amendment is first. Yeah, yeah, yeah.” [36:30]

• Assigned judge is James Boasberg, a point of tongue-in-cheek conspiracy musings from Tony.

3. Interview: Kurt Schlichter on “Seditious Six,” Service Record Politics

[45:53–74:51]

Seditious Six, Chain of Command Videos

• Context: A group of Democratic lawmakers (“seditious six”) filmed a video suggesting military personnel are not obligated to follow illegal orders (regarding Guard/federal deployment orders).
  • Tony and Kurt view this as “undermining the chain of command,” increasing risk to soldiers and officers on the ground.
  • Sen. Mark Kelly (target of current review) comes under fire for “credential signaling.”
• Notable exchange:

  Schlichter: “I am unbelievably offended by everything about Mark Kelly, starting with him using Captain in his username on X.” [50:05]
  Tony: “That’s like, call me doctor… you have a doctorate in paleontology.” [50:14]

Military Service, Ribbons, and Elitism

• Schlichter and Kinnett mock performative displays of service (“fruit salad”/ribbons/medals), emphasize:
  • Service credentials don’t immunize leaders from scrutiny for current actions.
• Broader critiques:
  • Against pearl-clutching from senators (e.g., Lisa Murkowski) when military colleagues are called out.
  • On “status quo-ism” and aversion to change in both the military and politics.

4. Listener Mailbag & Final Thoughts

[74:52–88:53]

Q&A Highlights

• Will Mark Kelly see legal consequences?
  • “Very unlikely he goes to jail … maybe a court martial just for the heck of it … I wouldn’t put it past the Secretary of War to do so, but that’ll give everyone a chance to dress up and play Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson and it’ll be a really good hoot.” [75:18]
• How to fix America (or Indiana) with a magic wand?
  • Abolish direct election of senators (repeal 17th Amendment).
  • Get rid of most rules/regulations — only laws passed by Congress.
  • Draconian jokes: “I would nuke France… dynamite around Cook County and shove Chicago into Lake Michigan until it sank.” [76:37]

On the National Guard Shooting

• Further details:
  • Suspect allegedly ambushed Guardsmen, shot a female Guard in the chest, took her weapon, then shot her point blank. He continued shooting at others until subdued. [87:18]
• Tony’s plea:
  “Please do, do pray for those guardsmen and God be with our country as well as the individuals that are running around doing this.” [88:08]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tony on rushed media coverage:
  “It’s okay to take a moment, not to be first to a particular news point, but to hang on for a minute.” [03:08]
• On political rhetoric:
  “When you tell people Nazis are coming… How do you think people are going to respond?” [19:06]
• Schlichter on military titles:
  “That’s like, call me doctor… you have a doctorate in paleontology.” [50:14]
• Tony mocking conspiracies about judge assignments:
  “If you get … records like that, Vegas is calling.” [39:15]

Tone & Style

• Blunt, sarcastic, and highly opinionated.
• Strong criticism of media and political figures on both sides.
• Frequent use of humor, military references, and pop culture analogies to drive points.
• No-nonsense emphasis on personal accountability, policy, and chain of command.

Conclusion

Ep. 455 delivers Tony Kinnett’s raw, detailed breakdown of the DC National Guard shooting, pinning blame on both the political/ideological climate and individual actions. The episode covers ongoing legal power plays in DC, judicial developments in election lawsuits, and the political fallout from service-member-turned-lawmakers making controversial statements. The addition of mailbag questions and military banter keeps the tone lively and engaged for listeners who want a combative, inside-baseball look at current events.

For listeners wanting a full dose of Tony’s middle-America perspective, this episode is rich with political and cultural commentary, sharp skepticism toward mainstream narratives, and an unapologetic defense of military and law enforcement personnel under fire—both literally and metaphorically.