WASHINGTON, D.C. – Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin (D- MI) is drawing criticism from the President and Republicans after she suggested congressional investigations into corruption might deter young graduates from going into politics and working for the Trump administration.
During an academic panel with the University of Chicago, Senator Slotkin spoke about corruption. She said if the Democrats win the majority, they should use their powers and investigate corruption and hold people accountable. She said the Democrats should pick signature cases to go after people and projects that are egregious, adding that they shouldn’t just look at the President but also those who are also enabling him. She added that holding people accountable might discourage young graduates from working for the Trump administration.
The comments sent off a firestorm with Republicans and the President, who has accusesd her of weaponizing the government.
“Slotkin is a low life who is ruining her state and just destroying her state but what they’re doing is discouraging people from going into politics,” the President said. “They’ve weaponized the government the Democrats, that’s what they’ve done.”
On Tuesday the President also said the Senator should be tried after her remarks. On Wednesday, the Senator pushed back on Trump’s comments and accused him of weaponizing the government against her.
“This time it’s because I dared to talk about the corruption coming out of the White House,” said the Senator. “This shouldn’t be complicated. If you break the law, or abused taxpayer dollars, you should be held accountable no matter who you are or who you work for. If you haven’t abused the law, then no problem.”
Last year the President said the Senator should be arrested and put on trial after she shared a video clip telling members of the military they can refuse illegal orders. A grand jury declined to indict her and the other congressional members involved in the video.
“If the President wants to arrest me, investigate me, even worse like many authoritarian leaders do with their political adversaries, then do it,” said the Senator. “It’s gotten predictable at this point. I’m not going to be intimidated of standing up for the rule of law and for the country that has given me everything.”
