Senator’s Response to Trump’s Remarks
Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan expressed her disapproval of President Trump’s recent claim that certain Democratic lawmakers deserve the death penalty for a video encouraging U.S. military personnel to reject unlawful orders.
A former CIA officer, Ms. Slotkin emphasized her commitment to addressing issues within the military and intelligence sectors regarding the administration’s potential legal overreach. She stated, “Leadership climate is set at the top, so if the president is saying things like that you can imagine people on the ground, what they’re doing.”
She continued, “I have been through dangerous situations before, so it doesn’t change my feelings about speaking my mind. However, it is inappropriate for the president to call for our death over a single sentence in a video, regardless of political affiliation.”
While Ms. Slotkin did not provide specific examples of illegal orders, she criticized the administration for engaging in what she described as “legal gymnastics” concerning military actions against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean. She also pointed out that courts have ruled against Trump’s deployment of military forces in U.S. cities.
The senator accused Mr. Trump of attempting to manipulate the Department of Justice against his political opponents, labeling his rhetoric as “a tool of fear” intended to suppress dissent.
Last week, Ms. Slotkin and other Democratic lawmakers released a video urging military and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders” from the Trump administration. In this video, she asserted, “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law,” alongside Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona and other former military members.
In response, Mr. Trump labeled Democrats as “traitors,” asserting they “should be in jail right now,” and declared their actions as “seditious behavior punishable by death!” on Truth Social.
A White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, rebuffed claims made by lawmakers suggesting that illegal orders had been issued by the president: “Every single order given to this United States military by this commander-in-chief is lawful.”
This past Friday, Ms. Slotkin’s office reported that Michigan State Police responded to a bomb threat at her home; however, she was not present at that time.
