Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) announced she is under a federal investigation for her participation in a joint video message in 2025 in which she told members of the intelligence community and the United States military that they were not obligated to follow illegal orders.
Slotkin, a former CIA officer, first revealed that she was under investigation in an interview with The New York Times, explaining that she was informed about it from the office of the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro.
The video, which featured six congressional Democrats who were veterans of the intelligence community and military, was released in November. The video warned that “this administration is pitting” military members and intelligence community professionals “against “American citizens.” It also warned that “threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Sen, Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), and Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) appeared in the video and issued a message saying, “You can refuse illegal orders.” None, however, elaborated on what orders were considered unlawful.
“Facts matter little, but the threat matters quite a bit,” Slotkin said in her interview with The New York Times. “The threat of legal action; the threat to your family; the threat to your staff; the threat to you.”
Slotkin is the second senator to face an investigation regarding the video. Sen. Mark Kelly was accused of violating two articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who issued a letter of censure and a request to demote Kelly earlier this month.
“Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly — and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline,” Hegseth said in a post on X. “As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice. And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice.”
“Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret),” Hegseth added. “The department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), with reduction in his retired grade resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay.”
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Kelly announced he was suing Hegseth on Monday.
Regarding Slotkin, The New York Times contacted Pirro’s office seeking clarification on the investigation.
“A spokesman for Ms. Pirro’s office declined to confirm or deny any investigation, and it is unclear exactly what officials have identified as a possible crime related to the video,” the The New York Times reported.