Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., is reportedly under federal investigation following a controversial video in which she and several Democratic lawmakers encouraged members of the U.S. military to “refuse illegal orders,” a message that drew fierce backlash from President Donald Trump and his administration.
Slotkin told New York Times that she learned the probe was initiated by the office of Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. According to the Times, Pirro’s office contacted the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms by email, requesting an interview with Slotkin or her private attorney.
The senator characterized the investigation as political intimidation, telling the Times that the threat itself is the real concern. “Facts matter little, but the threat matters quite a bit,” Slotkin said, listing what she described as threats to her family, staff, and herself. Pirro’s office declined to confirm or deny the existence of any investigation.
The controversy centers on a video posted in November featuring several Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds. Alongside Slotkin, the video included Sen. Mark Kelly; Rep. Chris Deluzio; Rep. Maggie Goodlander; Rep. Chrissy Houlahan; and Rep. Jason Crow. The message was widely criticized by Republicans as a call for service members to defy civilian leadership, particularly Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Trump responded forcefully, blasting the lawmakers in multiple Truth Social posts. He accused them of engaging in “seditious behavior” and said those involved should be arrested and put on trial. In another post the same day, Trump wrote that such behavior was “punishable by DEATH,” a remark that sparked an uproar and intense debate over its meaning and tone.
The video was released amid a nationwide argument over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to cities across the country, a move Democrats have criticized and Republicans have defended as necessary to restore order.
Slotkin, a former CIA officer who served in Iraq, is the latest participant in the video to face scrutiny. Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, has already taken legal action. He sued the War Department and Hegseth after the department moved to demote him and reduce his retirement pay, actions Kelly claims were retaliation for his role in the video.
Kelly’s lawsuit argues that the administration’s response violates constitutional protections for legislative independence. It states that, to the senator’s knowledge, the executive branch has never before imposed military sanctions on a sitting member of Congress for political speech.
A War Department official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the agency is aware of Kelly’s lawsuit but declined to comment further, citing policy against discussing ongoing litigation.
Hegseth previously escalated the dispute by directing Secretary of the Navy John Phelan to review Kelly’s retirement rank and pay and issue a recommendation within 45 days, part of an investigation into whether Kelly made “seditious statements” that undermined military operations.
In a statement posted to X, Kelly warned that what he called an “unconstitutional crusade” sends a chilling message to retired service members, suggesting that speaking out against the president or defense leadership could result in censure, demotion, or prosecution.
[READ MORE: Philadelphia Sheriff Calls ICE “Fake Law Enforcement,” Threatens Arrests Amid Rising Tensions]