Federal Prosecutors Launch Probe Into Senator Slotkin Over Military Conduct Video
Washington, Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
Federal prosecutors have launched an inquiry into Senator Elissa Slotkin over a video on illegal military orders, just days after the Pentagon moved to censure and demote Senator Mark Kelly.
Justice Department Scrutiny Intensifies
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) confirmed that she is the subject of a federal investigation, a revelation that escalates the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic lawmakers regarding military oversight [1]. According to Slotkin’s office, the inquiry was disclosed via an email from the office of Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, which requested an interview with the Senator or her legal counsel [1][2]. While officials have declined to confirm if a formal investigation is officially underway, the probe is explicitly connected to a video released in November 2025, in which Slotkin and fellow veterans in Congress urged service members to disregard orders they deemed unlawful [2][6]. This move by federal prosecutors represents a significant expansion of the administration’s legal actions against political opponents, moving beyond rhetoric to potential criminal inquiries [1].
The Origins of the Dispute
The controversy stems from a 90-second video posted to social media on November 18, 2025, featuring Slotkin and five other Democratic lawmakers—Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan—all of whom are military veterans [1][3]. The video’s central message reminded military officers of their obligation to refuse illegal orders, a standard tenet of military law, yet it drew immediate condemnation from the White House [1][2]. President Trump characterized the lawmakers’ conduct as “seditious” and, in a social media post, suggested their actions were “punishable by death,” though he later walked back the severity of those remarks [6]. The video was released against a backdrop of heightened military activity, specifically as the Pentagon began offensive operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels near Venezuela [3][4].
Constitutional Clash and Military Discipline
Parallel to the Slotkin investigation, a fierce legal battle has erupted involving Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), another participant in the video. Because Kelly is a retired Navy Captain—unlike his colleagues who resigned their commissions—the Pentagon claims jurisdiction over him under laws that allow retired service members to be recalled for court-martial [3][4]. On Monday, January 12, 2026, Kelly filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Department of Defense, and the Navy, seeking to block administrative punishments levied against him [5][6]. This legal action follows a formal censure issued by Hegseth on January 5, 2026, which the Defense Secretary described as a “necessary process step” toward potentially demoting Kelly and reducing his retirement pay [3][5].
Pattern of Administrative Retribution
The simultaneous pressure on Slotkin and Kelly suggests a coordinated strategy by the administration to utilize federal apparatuses against perceived dissenters. Slotkin noted the chilling effect of these actions, stating, “Facts matter little, but the threat matters quite a bit,” referring to the legal and personal risks posed by such investigations [6]. This pattern extends beyond the military sphere; reports indicate that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, a frequent target of President Trump’s criticism regarding interest rate policies, has also been under investigation since late 2025 [6]. As the legal proceedings against Kelly move toward a hearing scheduled for January 15, 2026, the intersection of military justice, prosecutorial power, and legislative immunity remains a critical flashpoint in Washington [3].