Sen. Slotkin Confirms Federal Probe Over Video Urging Troops to Resist Illegal Orders
PBS reports that Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D‑Mich., says she is under federal investigation for her role in a November video in which she and five other Democratic lawmakers told U.S. military personnel not to follow unlawful orders. Slotkin, an Iraq War veteran and former CIA analyst, organized the video, which President Trump and his aides have publicly branded 'seditious,' and she posted her own response accusing the president of weaponizing the federal government against critics and using 'legal intimidation and physical intimidation' to silence dissent. The piece notes that three other lawmakers in the video have confirmed being contacted by Trump officials, and that Sen. Mark Kelly has already sued the Pentagon over disciplinary moves tied to his involvement. The episode raises serious civil‑military questions about the line between protected speech and incitement inside the chain of command, and about how far an administration can go in pursuing members of Congress over statements about 'illegal orders' at a moment when war‑powers and domestic enforcement controversies are already under scrutiny.
📌 Key Facts
- Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin says she is under federal investigation for a November video telling troops to resist illegal orders.
- The video featured Slotkin and five other Democratic lawmakers; Trump and his aides have called it 'seditious.'
- Slotkin responded in a new social‑media video accusing the president of weaponizing the federal government to intimidate critics.
- Three other lawmakers in the video say they have been contacted by Trump officials, and Sen. Mark Kelly is suing the Pentagon over efforts to punish him for his involvement.
📊 Relevant Data
54% of households headed by immigrants in the US used one or more major welfare programs in 2021, compared to 39% of US-born households.
Welfare Use by Immigrants and the U.S.-Born — Center for Immigration Studies
Immigrant households from certain countries have high welfare recipient rates, such as Bhutan at 81.4%, Yemen at 75.2%, Somalia at 71.9%, Afghanistan at 68.1%, and Dominican Republic at 68.1%.
Trump shares list of 120 countries whose immigrants receive welfare in US: Why was India excluded? — The Times of India
By region of origin, immigrant households from the Western Hemisphere and Africa have the highest welfare use rates, while those from Asia and Europe have the lowest.
Welfare Use by Immigrants and the U.S.-Born — Center for Immigration Studies
79% of US troops surveyed understand their duty to disobey illegal orders.
4 in 5 US troops surveyed understand duty to disobey illegal orders — Military Times
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time