By Trendsetter Tribune 
enator Elissa Slotkin confirms she is under federal investigation, the latest targeting of Democrats who urged military personnel to refuse illegal orders under Trump’s administration.
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin revealed on Tuesday that federal prosecutors have launched an investigation into her activities, marking the latest instance of scrutiny directed at Democrats who publicly urged members of the U.S. military to refuse illegal orders.
In an interview with The New York Times, Slotkin said she learned about the probe after Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., requested an interview with her or her personal attorney. Pirro’s office has yet to publicly comment on the investigation.
“Facts matter little, but the threat matters quite a bit,” Slotkin told the Times. “The threat of legal action; the threat to your family; the threat to your staff; the threat to you.”
Context: Video Urging Military to Refuse Illegal Orders
The investigation stems from a video released in November in which six Democrats addressed the military and intelligence community. They warned that the Trump administration was pitting service members against American citizens, and reminded them that their oath was to protect the U.S. Constitution.
Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, helped organize the 90-second clip alongside congressional Democrats with military or intelligence experience, including:
- Senator Mark Kelly (Arizona)
- Representatives Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire), Chris Deluzio (Pennsylvania), Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania), and Jason Crow (Colorado)
“Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,” the video stated. “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.”
Trump Labels Democrats in Video as “Traitors”
President Donald Trump responded to the video on Truth Social, calling it “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL” and labeling the participants as traitors.
“Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET,” Trump wrote.
The President later echoed comments from users calling for the participants to be executed, reiterating:
“SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Mark Kelly Faces Pentagon Repercussions
Slotkin is not the first Democrat involved in the video to face consequences. Senator Mark Kelly, a retired astronaut and Naval pilot, has been under investigation by the Department of Defense since November for “serious allegations of misconduct.”
In early January, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to reduce Kelly’s retirement rank and military pension, issuing an official letter of censure over his statements in the video.
Kelly has since filed a lawsuit, arguing that the Pentagon’s actions violate his freedom of speech:
“Pete Hegseth is coming after what I earned through my twenty-five years of military service, in violation of my rights as an American, as a retired veteran, and as a United States Senator… His unconstitutional crusade against me sends a chilling message to every retired member of the military: if you speak out and say something that the President or Secretary of Defense doesn’t like, you will be censured, threatened with demotion, or even prosecuted.”
Implications for Free Speech and Government Accountability
The investigations into Slotkin and Kelly have sparked debates over free speech, whistleblower protections, and the role of retired military personnel in political discourse. Legal experts warn that these actions could set precedents for targeting lawmakers or veterans who speak out against government policies.
Observers say the situation highlights tensions between elected officials, retired military personnel, and the Trump administration, with potential implications for civil-military relations and congressional oversight.