Trump administration investigating Senator Slotkin over Democrat video urging troops to resist ‘unlawful orders’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin has been notified that the Trump administration is investigating her after she organized and appeared in a video with other Democrats urging military service members to resist “unlawful orders.”

Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, first revealed to the New York Times that prosecutors were investigating her. A person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak about it publicly confirmed the matter to The Associated Press.

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Slotkin, who organized the 90-second video and first posted it on her X account in November, learned about the investigation this month from the office of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the Justice Department prosecutor in the nation’s capital. Perot’s office did not immediately respond Wednesday to messages seeking comment.

The investigation represents another escalation in President Donald Trump’s response to a video that he and his aides described as “seditious” — a crime that Trump said on his social media account was “punishable by death.” Slotkin and other Democratic lawmakers who participated in the video said in November that the FBI contacted them to begin scheduling interviews. Pirro’s involvement represents an uplift for Slotkin.

It is not clear what laws were violated in the video message. In it, the lawmakers, all of whom have military and national security experience, require troops to follow established military protocols by not following orders that violate the law.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has admonished Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut, for his involvement. Hegseth attempts to retroactively demote Kelly from the rank of retired captain. Senator Hegseth is suing to block those measures, calling them an unconstitutional act of retaliation.

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Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris DiLuzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania also appeared in the video. It was not clear whether Perot’s office or other Justice Department agencies targeted any other participants beyond FBI questioning.

Slotkin was among the bright spots for Democrats in the 2024 elections, winning an open Senate seat despite Trump winning Michigan in the presidential election. She delivered the Democratic response to his address to Congress in 2024.

Associated Press writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.