Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), a self-proclaimed “defender of democracy” faced widespread backlash and an ethics complaint after stating that she wanted to send a “deterrence message” and pursue “signature cases” to discourage young college graduates and conservatives from working in the Trump administration. This took place during an an October 13, 2026 campus event at the University of Chicago. Full remarks can be found here.
Slotkin argued that holding Trump administration officials and enablers accountable through investigations, months of intense litigation and potential prosecutions is necessary to “deter illegal acts and corruption,” stating that individuals who commit illegal acts do not have immunity.
She suggested that the possibility of mounting legal bills while fighting investigations, permanent career damage, or prosecution should serve as a warning to young people considering service in a future Trump administration.
“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,'” she said. “I want that deterrence message sent,” Slotkin said.
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), Representative Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and former Trump adviser Mike Davis condemned the remarks. Senator Lee called it “disgraceful to threaten young Americans for participating in politics and serving their country,” while others accused Slotkin of political intimidation, “lawfare,” and trying to weaponize the government.
Slotkin visited Wisconsin and campaigned with David Crowley only days later.
University of Chicago student Michael Bicksel filed an ethics complaint against Slotkin with the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, arguing that her incendiary comments aimed to frighten students away from public service.
But is this truly a idle threat, or has the Chicago Machine begun to canvass for possible targets it wishes to intimidate after the Nov. 3 election? Chicago still runs the National Democratic Party (and the DSA party for that matter). Case in point: it had installed Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee in 2024 before hosting the Democratic National Convention Aug 2024. It also hosted the 2026 Democratic Socialists Summit July 31 – August 2.
If you think the Chicago Machine is incapable of weaponizing our government against conservatives, then you must have been living under a rock in 2020.
Slotkin dismissed the criticism as manufactured outrage after playing the victim card while claiming her own family and staff faced severe backlash, including bomb threats, suspicious packages, and a late-night “swatting” incident targeting her father after President Trump called for her investigation and arrest. Now she is implying that she will (allegedly) retaliate under the auspice of “deterrence” if the House/Senate flips Nov 3. The Heartland Post will continue to follow this story closely.
