Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has revealed she is under federal investigation for her role in a video in which she and fellow Democrats urged American military personnel to refuse illegal orders.
The Video and the Immediate Fallout
The 90-second video, organised in June 2025, featured Senator Slotkin and five other Democratic lawmakers with backgrounds in the military or intelligence services. In the clip, they reminded service members of their constitutional duty. "Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders … You must refuse illegal orders," the group stated, emphasising that threats to the constitution could come from within the United States.
The video was released amidst controversial military actions by the Trump administration, including deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. Former President Donald Trump responded furiously on social media, labelling the participants' behaviour as "seditious" and "punishable by death." The White House later walked back the execution comment, stating the President wished to see them "held accountable" instead.
Following Trump's post, Slotkin and Colorado Representative Jason Crow reported being inundated with death threats. Slotkin was placed under 24/7 Capitol Police protection after a bomb threat at her home and a "swatting" incident at her father's residence in Michigan.
A Weaponised Investigation?
Senator Slotkin, a former CIA officer and Iraq war veteran, learned of the investigation from the office of Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia and a Trump ally. Slotkin has framed the probe as a blatant act of political intimidation.
"This is the president’s playbook. Truth doesn’t matter, facts don’t matter, and anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy," she asserted in a video statement. "It’s legal intimidation and physical intimidation meant to get you to shut up."
The core legal principle cited in the video—that military personnel have a duty to disobey unlawful orders—is a well-established tenet of US military law, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and international law. The specific crime being investigated remains unclear.
Broader Legal Battles and Chilling Effects
The controversy has sparked separate legal actions. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth condemned the video as "despicable, reckless and false," prompting a Pentagon investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy officer and astronaut featured in the clip.
In response, Senator Kelly filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to nullify Hegseth's attempt to reduce his military rank and pension as punishment. "His unconstitutional crusade against me sends a chilling message to every retired member of the military," Kelly stated.
Slotkin echoed this sentiment, telling the New York Times, "I’ve studied this kind of political authoritarianism in other countries my entire professional life. I just can’t believe I am talking about it in my own country." The other Democrats involved were Representatives Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Jason Crow of Colorado.
The episode highlights deepening tensions over the rule of law, military ethics, and the use of federal power against political critics in a highly charged American political landscape.
