Elissa Slotkin gets security detail after receiving death threats following Trump’s execution remark
WASHINGTON, DC: Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has been assigned a police detail following a fiery clash with President Donald Trump over a controversial video released by Democratic veterans.
The security measures come after Trump went on a rampage against Slotkin and five other lawmakers for "seditious behavior" after they encouraged military personnel to question orders from the commander-in-chief.
Trump calls for the Democratic veterans to be 'arrested and put on trial'
Elissa Slotkin’s office confirmed on Thursday, November 20, that a US Capitol Police officer is now accompanying her "around-the-clock." The Democrat claims to have received "hundreds" of threats after the video gained traction online.
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
The controversy erupted after Slotkin and fellow Democratic veterans posted a message urging troops "not to follow unspecified illegal orders," a move interpreted by the president as an attempt to undermine the chain of command during critical military operations.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 09:08 AM EST 11/20/25
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 20, 2025
It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST…
Trump took to Truth Social to denounce the move, stating, "It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."
The president added that "an example MUST BE SET" regarding officials who he believes are inciting insubordination within the ranks.
In another post, the president went even further, writing, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post )
— Fan Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) November 20, 2025
( Donald J. Trump - Nov 20, 2025, 10:21 AM ET )
SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! pic.twitter.com/nxoFfl5Lj6
Slotkin said that there's been a "huge spike in death threats and intimidation on our phones and on our emails and websites" following the president's comments.
White House denies execution claims
While Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, claimed Donald Trump’s language amounted to "an outright threat" of execution, the White House swiftly dismissed the narrative.
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Karoline Leavitt just went NUCLEAR on the Democrat officials who called on US service members to DEFY Trump’s orders
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 20, 2025
“You have SITTING MEMBERS of the United States Congress who conspired together to orchestrate a video message to members of the United States… pic.twitter.com/xhMby93LVL
When asked if the president wanted lawmakers executed, press secretary Karoline Leavitt bluntly replied, "No."
Leavitt shifted the focus back to the content of the Democrats' video, arguing that encouraging service members "to defy the president's lawful orders" poses a national security risk.
"If this were Republican members of Congress who were encouraging members of the military... to defy orders from the president... this entire room would be up in arms," Leavitt told reporters.
Lindsey Graham echoes Trump's remarks about Democrats' video
The video, which features Elissa Slotkin alongside Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Representative Jason Crow (D-CO), and others, was released amid intensified US military strikes on drug-running vessels linked to the Venezuelan regime.
While the Trump administration asserts these operations are vital to stopping drug trafficking and combating "narco-terrorists," Democrats have questioned the legality of the strikes.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a former Air Force JAG, backed the president's concerns, stating he was "disturbed" by the Democrats' video.
"I cannot find a single example of an illegal order during this administration," Graham wrote on X. "These Democrats owe it to the country to be specific."
Six Democrat Members of Congress -- all with military or intelligence backgrounds -- recently released a video urging members of the U.S. military and Intelligence Community to "refuse illegal orders."
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 20, 2025
To say that I am disturbed this video is an understatement. As a former Air…
Trump maintained his stance that the video was "Dangerous to our Country," posting, "Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"