You probably remember how, back in November, six Democratic lawmakers, all with military or intelligence backgrounds, posted a shameful video undermining the military chain of command by exhorting servicemembers to defy orders if they felt they were unlawful.
The not-even-sort of-subtle implication of the tape was that the president and Pentagon were already issuing illegal orders, and that those serving should somehow rise up.
The blowback was fierce, with President Trump calling the group “traitors,” and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth vowing to demote Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), who served in the Navy, and strip him of his security clearance. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice and the FBI are looking into the matter.
They won’t get cooperation from one of the hyper-partisan collaborators, though: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (MI). She says she has nothing to say to them:
Today, I sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro informing them that I will not be sitting down with them for their inquiry over a 90-second video I filmed in November.
Here’s why. pic.twitter.com/zEjm2wiKhI
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) February 5, 2026
RELATED: Dem Lawmakers Urge Military, Intelligence Personnel to Defy Authority in Not-at-All Subtle Video
‘Tis the Season for Finding Out: Pete Hegseth Comes for Sen. Mark Kelly Over ‘Seditious’ Video
Slotkin got all high and mighty in the video, saying:
“The FBI and the Department of Justice opened up an inquiry on me in response to the president’s tweets.
“But at this point, I’m not going to be sitting down for this inquiry. I’m not going to legitimize their actions.”
Slotkin emphasized that the video at the center of the inquiry was publicly available and that she has repeatedly discussed it in public forums. She said her speech is protected under the First Amendment and framed the issue as a broader fight over free expression.
“Our constitution is crystal clear on the issue of freedom of speech, something worth fighting for,” she said.
It is true that we have a First Amendment, and any effort to charge her with a crime would have to deal with that. But regardless of whether or not she has the right to say those things, appearing in such a video arguably goes against the democratic values this country is based on.
This is deplorable:
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
It is not for me to decide if their statements are seditious. Nevertheless, what they did say is deeply disturbing, is meant to divide our country, and is at odds with the values that so many Americans hold dear:
Americans trust their military. But that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniform military and intelligence community professionals… against American citizens.
No, that’s what you’re doing.
It’s anybody’s guess if they’ll face legal consequences, but they nonetheless have shrouded their legacies in shame. Slotkin’s refusal to even answer questions from the U.S. Department of Justice shows again that these six, and their cohorts, have little regard for American institutions when they’re not in power.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America’s military.
Help us report on Trump and Hegesth’s successes as they make our military great again. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.
