Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat at the center of a video urging American service members to refuse “illegal orders” to the dismay of President Donald Trump, has said she’d consider running for president in 2028.
Those who don’t follow politics closely may not know of Slotkin, if not for the controversial video she and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds released on social media last November, warning public servants of “threats to our constitution…right here at home.”
The Democrats then issued a vague but striking message: “You must refuse illegal orders.”
Slotkin is touring the Midwest to promote Democrats ahead of the midterm elections this fall. Speaking to the press during a trip to Iowa this week, Slotkin wouldn’t rule out a 2028 presidential bid.
"I'm not so arrogant as to think it has to be me," she told the Des Moines Register. “Midterms is what I'm focused on right now, but if it comes to the point afterwards that I think there's not anyone else who's on the right path, I guess I wouldn't say no forever."
Slotkin had attended a town hall event while in Iowa with state Senator Sarah Trone Garriott, who is running to flip the 3rd Congressional District seat currently held by Republican U.S. Representative Zach Nunn.
At the town hall, Slotkin talked about healthcare, a major issue for Democrats that lawmakers in the party were willing to shut down the government over in an attempt to make it more affordable last fall.
She pointed out the disappointment over the current health care system felt across party and state lines, according to the Associated Press.
Slotkin told the AP she is “pretty clear-eyed” about the problems in her party, including its lack of focus on the middle of America and lack of effectiveness in countering Trump.
“I’m interested in being a part of the next generation who’s going to rehab the Democratic brand,” Slotkin said.
Slotkin worked as a CIA analyst before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2018, flipping a Republican-held seat. She was elected to the Senate in 2024.
Slotkin and her colleagues — Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania — received Trump’s ire when they told service members to refuse illegal orders.
The president called the Democrats “traitors” and accused them of “seditious behavior.” He even threatened to “lock them up” and said such alleged behavior was “punishable by death.”
Trump’s Justice Department tried and failed to indict the lawmakers over the video, NBC News reported in February, citing three sources familiar with the matter.
Chris Christie says even Trump doesn’t believe his own election lies
Appeals court lets Iowa enforce book ban and restrictions on LGBTQ+ topics in K-6 classes
From book bans to basement makeovers: 10 win I Love My Librarian Award for making a difference
Inside mediators’ last-ditch effort to secure Iran truce as ‘talks were almost dead’
Trump calls on New York court to toss ‘legally and factually baseless’ fraud ruling
NATO chief faces scrutiny from Europe over endless support for ‘Daddy’ Trump
