“[To reporters, asked about Slotkin's remarks:] That's a hell of a statement. … Slotkin said that there should be prosecutions in order to scare people from going into politics. That's a Democrat. That's all they do. That's all they're good at. And you know what? That's why they're getting their asses kicked.
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Slotkin Wants Trump Enablers Prosecuted
Elissa Slotkin Tells University of Chicago Students She Wants Prosecutions of the People Who "Enabled" Trump So Graduates Think Twice About Working for Him — "I Want That Deterrence Message Sent" — Mike Lee Calls It "Absolutely Disgraceful," Trump Calls It "a Hell of a Statement," and Slotkin Answers "Spare Me the Pearl-Clutching"
October 17, 2026
What happened▸
At a University of Chicago Institute of Politics event on Oct. 13, 2026, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said that if Democrats win power she wants to pursue "signature cases" against the people who "enabled" President Trump, not only Trump himself. She said she wanted young people leaving school to weigh whether working for the administration "might be buying myself a ton of problems," adding: "I want that deterrence message sent."
A clip posted by The Chicago Thinker, a conservative campus paper, spread on Oct. 17. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) called it "absolutely disgraceful to threaten young Americans for participating in politics and serving their country," and later called it "a fascist move." Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor said it was "incredibly disappointing and unprofessional" for a senator to endorse "political prosecutions." On Oct. 19, Trump told reporters it was "a hell of a statement" and that "that's why they're getting their asses kicked."
Slotkin answered that her point was about people who break the law at the president's behest. She noted that the Justice Department had tried and failed to get a grand jury to indict her over a video she made with other Democratic lawmakers urging troops to refuse illegal orders. "Spare me the pearl-clutching," she wrote. On CNN she called the backlash "manufactured outrage." Her office said she has received a rise in threats since the clip spread. The Wall Street Journal has reported that some administration officials are already hiring lawyers in anticipation of Democratic-led investigations.
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“[To the Deseret News, after Slotkin's response:] As I understood her statement, she's not saying 'prosecute crime.' She's saying weaponize the levers of government to deter people from even serving in the Trump administration. I think that is stunning. … I'm a little surprised that she appears to be doubling down on it because this is not just part of the ongoing back-and-forth debate. This is a pretty stunning, stunningly aggressive move.
“[On CNN with Jake Tapper:] Yeah, well, look, that's manufactured outrage. … [Her message to young people is] do not get yourself involved in illegal activity. … If you are violating the law, then you should be held accountable. … I don't care if it's just freedom of speech. I care if you're breaking the law.
“[On X, responding to Lee and other critics:] Spare me the pearl-clutching — especially from Republican Members of Congress and online MAGA grifters who have cheered President Trump's weaponization of the government against those he doesn't like, as recently as last week. This is a subject I know something about: Less than a year ago, Trump directed the DOJ and FBI to investigate me, and then tried to criminally indict me for a 90 second video, exercising basic free speech. … If you have aided in the corrupt use of U.S. taxpayer dollars to benefit the President or his family, or you have violated the law in order to carry out guidance from the President, you should be held accountable. … While the Supreme Court has granted the President immunity, it has not done the same for those who do illegal things at his behest.
“[On X, sharing the clip of Slotkin's remarks:] This is incredibly disappointing and unprofessional coming from a US Senator - endorsing political prosecutions to dissuade patriotic Americans from serving their country. In contrast, we at @USOPM believe in recruiting the best and brightest early career prospects.
“[On X, sharing the clip of Slotkin's remarks:] It is absolutely disgraceful to threaten young Americans for participating in politics and serving their country.
“[At a University of Chicago Institute of Politics event, on what Democrats should do if they win power:] I want to look at these signature cases and not just focus on the president, but on the people who enabled him. … I want young people coming out of school to say, should I go work for the Trump administration? Like, that sounds fun, I might get an opportunity. I want them to be like, Lord, that might be buying myself a ton of problems that I don't want, and so let me avoid participating in that. … I want that deterrence message.