Brief

Sen. Elissa Slotkin urges Democrats to prosecute Trump aides to deter young conservatives

Slotkin said high‑profile corruption cases should send a deterrence message to recent graduates considering work for the Trump administration.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 18 Oct 2026 22:53:12 GMT

Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, urged Democrats to use criminal prosecutions of Trump‑era officials as a deterrent against young conservatives seeking jobs in the administration. Speaking at a University of Chicago event that later went viral, Slotkin said the goal was to make recent graduates think twice before joining the president’s staff.

What happened

During the campus appearance on October 17, Slotkin argued that "going after" and making examples of officials involved in corruption would send a clear message to young people. She emphasized the need for "signature" corruption cases rather than targeting President Trump personally, noting that the president remains in office despite multiple impeachment votes and ongoing criminal investigations.

What the reports add

The New York Post article notes Slotkin’s remarks were recorded and shared on social media, including a tweet from a University of Chicago student who said the senator told conservative students they should live in fear of political persecution if they work for the Trump administration. Another social‑media post from a conservative influencer criticized Slotkin’s approach as "Bolshevik‑style tactics." The piece also references President Trump’s speculation about a possible mass pardon spree before leaving the White House.

What was said

Slotkin told the audience, "I want young people coming out of school to say, ‘Should I go work for the Trump administration? That sounds fun, I might get an opportunity,’" and added, "I want them to be like, ‘Lord, that might be buying myself a ton of problems I don’t want, and so let me avoid participating in that.’" She also said, "We do have to have accountability for the unbelievable corruption that we are living under right now, but you can’t just make that your whole personality. So you have to pick signature cases, and you have to go after people and projects that are just super egregious." The article quotes a student, Michael Bicksel, who wrote, "Sen. Slotkin, a self‑avowed ‘defender of democracy,’ told me and other conservative students that we should live in fear of political persecution if we dare serve our country in the Trump administration."

How it came about

Slotkin’s comments follow her previous votes to impeach Trump twice and her long‑standing criticism of the administration’s alleged corruption. The remarks arrive amid broader political tensions, including Trump’s recent comments about a possible mass pardon and ongoing debates over the administration’s handling of corruption investigations.

Key facts

Sen. Elissa Slotkin urged Democrats to prosecute Trump administration officials to deter young conservatives. (nypost.com)
Slotkin spoke at a University of Chicago event on October 17, 2026, which went viral. (nypost.com)
She emphasized targeting "signature" corruption cases rather than focusing solely on President Trump. (nypost.com)
Social media users criticized Slotkin’s remarks as intimidation tactics. (nypost.com)
President Trump has floated the possibility of a mass pardon spree before leaving office. (nypost.com)