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Slotkin: ‘I’m worried about my family’ as FBI opens inquiry into ‘illegal orders’ video
Nov 26, 2025
Sen. Elissa Slotkin is speaking out about the fallout from the now-viral video in which Democrats told U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders.
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This morning, the fallout is deepening after the FBI confirms it has opened an inquiry into the six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in that controversial video telling U.S. troops they can and should refuse illegal orders
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Michigan Senator Alyssa Slotkin, who organized the video, says the bureau's counterterrorism division notified the group on Monday night
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The counterterrorism division at the FBI sent a note to the members of Congress saying they are opening what appears to be an inquiry against the six of us
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To be honest, the president's reaction and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video
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He believes in using the federal government against his perceived adversaries. The six Democrats, all military or intelligence veterans
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say they are now being targeted after President Trump called their actions seditious
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and suggested on True Social their behavior could be, quote, punishable by death
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The minute I saw the president said they should be hanged, and in effect I knew that our security situation was gonna change precipitously Obviously I worried about my family I worried about my staff You know I served three tours in Iraq
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I've done dangerous things. I signed up for this, but my family didn't
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My nieces and nephews didn't. The group issued a joint statement saying President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress
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No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution
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The video at the center of the firestorm posted last week reminded service members that U.S. law requires them to refuse any order that's illegal
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Slotkin later told ABC News she is not aware of Trump issuing any illegal orders
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But the White House says the video itself was reckless and potentially harmful to the chain of command
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Separately, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is facing a Pentagon review for his role in that same video
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Kelly is the only one of the six who can be subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice
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because he's a retired Navy officer. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has formally asked the Navy for a briefing by December 10th
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on whether Kelly should be recalled to active duty and possibly face a court-martial
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