Dem Senator Says She’s Under a Federal Investigation Over ‘Unlawful Orders’ Video [WATCH]

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., says she is under federal investigation following her participation in a controversial video urging members of the U.S. military to “refuse illegal orders,” according to an interview she gave to The New York Times.

Slotkin told the Times that she learned the investigation was initiated by the office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.

According to the report, Pirro’s office sent an email to the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms requesting an interview with Slotkin or her private legal counsel.

Slotkin characterized the investigation as politically motivated. “Facts matter little, but the threat matters quite a bit,” Slotkin told the Times. “The threat of legal action; the threat to your family; the threat to your staff; the threat to you.”

As Fox News reported, the video at the center of the investigation was posted in November and featured several Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds.

In addition to Slotkin, participants included Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa.; Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H.; Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa.; and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo.

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The video drew sharp criticism after lawmakers in it told service members to “refuse illegal orders,” a message that critics said amounted to encouraging defiance of President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

The video was released amid a nationwide debate over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to cities across the country.

President Trump responded forcefully to the video in a series of Truth Social posts. On Nov. 20, Trump wrote, “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand — We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.”

TRUMP: It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET. President DJT

Congress and military… pic.twitter.com/yiUkHf5i5F

— TRUTH NOW ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@sxdoc) November 20, 2025

Later the same day, Trump posted separately, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” That statement sparked backlash from critics who said it amounted to a threat from the president.

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 filed a lawsuit against the War Department and Hegseth after the department moved to demote him and cut his retirement pay over his role in the video.

Kelly’s lawsuit claims the Trump administration’s actions “trample on protections the Constitution singles out as essential to legislative independence.”

The lawsuit further states, “It appears that never in our nation’s history has the Executive Branch imposed military sanctions on a Member of Congress for engaging in disfavored political speech.”

The lawsuit also alleges that the Pentagon’s actions “violate numerous constitutional guarantees and have no basis in statute.”

A War Department official confirmed awareness of the lawsuit but declined further comment. “However, as a matter of policy, the Department does not comment on ongoing litigation,” the official told Fox News Digital.

Earlier this month, Hegseth said he directed Secretary of the Navy John Phelan to review Kelly’s retirement rank and pay and provide a recommendation within 45 days, escalating an investigation alleging Kelly made “seditious statements” that undermined military operations.

In a statement posted to X, Kelly said the “unconstitutional crusade” against him “sends a chilling message to every retired member of the military.”

Neither Slotkin’s office nor Pirro’s office immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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