Slotkin: Probes of Trump Aides Should Deter Grads

The Slotkin probes of Trump officials proposal is igniting a fresh political fight, as Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) says Democrats should pursue “signature cases” against people she says enabled President Donald Trump — in part to discourage young graduates from working for his administration.

Speaking at a University of Chicago Institute of Politics event on Tuesday, Oct. 13, during a live recording of Vox’s “America, Actually” podcast hosted by Astead Herndon, Slotkin argued that with Trump himself shielded by presidential immunity, his aides and enablers should face scrutiny.

“They have no immunity the way the president does,” she said.

“I Want That Deterrence Message Sent”

Slotkin said she wants the threat of future prosecutions to make young people think twice before taking jobs in the administration. “I want that deterrence message sent,” she said, adding that she wants graduates to see a White House job as “buying myself a ton of problems.”

She pointed to what she called “superegregious” people and projects, citing the East Wing — where Trump has been building a new White House ballroom — as an example, according to reports of her remarks.

Backlash and a Feud With Mike Lee

A video clip of the remarks went viral on Saturday, Oct. 17, after being shared by the Chicago Thinker, drawing sharp criticism. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) called it “absolutely disgraceful to threaten young Americans for participating in politics and serving their country.”

Slotkin stood firm in a lengthy X post on Sunday, pushing back at Lee and accusing Republicans of cheering what she called Trump’s weaponization of government against his critics. The exchange added to an already heated debate over how far accountability efforts should go if Democrats win back Congress in the midterms.

Source: The Detroit News