The FBI is seeking to question the six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video urging U.S. troops to defy orders that are illegal or unconstitutional, signaling a possible investigation into the matter.
“Last night 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,” Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin said Tuesday, criticizing President Trump for “attempting to use the FBI to scare us.”
Last week, the former CIA analyst who served three tours in Iraq joined five fellow Democrats in a video message shared on social media that called on members of the military and intelligence community to “stand up for our laws” and refuse to carry out orders that violate the law or the Constitution.
The message infuriated Trump, who lashed out at the group, calling them “traitors” who are guilty of “seditious behavior,” which he said is “punishable by death.”
The 90-second video, titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” also featured Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado; Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire; Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, both of Pennsylvania; and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, who told service members that “our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders.”
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
On Monday, the Pentagon announced on social media that it was investigating Kelly over “serious allegations of misconduct” and possible breaches of military law.
Kelly, a former U.S. Navy officer and astronaut, said he only learned of the investigation after reading Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s message on X.
“I also saw the president’s posts saying I should be arrested, hanged, and put to death,” he said in a statement, adding that if Hegseth’s announcement was “meant to intimidate” the six lawmakers, it would not work.
On Tuesday, Slotkin questioned the Trump administration’s explosive response to the incident.
“Whether you agree with the video or don’t agree with the video, the question to me Is: is this the appropriate response for a president of the United States to go after and seek to weaponize the federal government against those he disagrees with?” she said.
Last night, the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division appeared to open an inquiry into me in response to a video President Trump did not like.
The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place. He believes in weaponizing the federal…
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 25, 2025
In a message shared on X, Slotkin said that Trump’s “intimidation tactics” are exactly why they felt compelled to speak out.
“He believes in weaponizing the federal government against his perceived enemies and does not believe laws apply to him or his Cabinet,” she wrote. “This is not the America I know, and I’m not going to let this next step from the FBI stop me from speaking up for my country and our Constitution.”
FBI Director Kash Patel declined to comment on the video and appeared to distance himself from any suggestion that the bureau was acting politically.
“What goes through my head is the same thing that goes through my head in any case: Is there a lawful predicate to open up an inquiry and investigation, or is there not? And that decision will be made by the career agents and analysts here at the FBI,” he said.
With News Wire Services
