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Slotkin, Houlahan Reject DOJ Interviews Over Video Urging Troops to Refuse Unlawful Orders

Their stance forces prosecutors to decide whether to escalate beyond voluntary requests.

Overview

  • Sen. Elissa Slotkin told Attorney General Pam Bondi and D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro she will not sit for a voluntary interview and asked them to terminate the inquiry and preserve records for anticipated litigation.
  • Slotkin’s lawyer, Preet Bharara, sent letters detailing the refusal and asserting First Amendment concerns while urging Bondi to direct Pirro to close the probe.
  • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan also said she will not submit to a voluntary interview, making her the second participant in the November video to publicly decline.
  • The Justice Department and FBI requests have been voluntary to date, leaving prosecutors to decide whether to seek subpoenas for lawmakers involved in the video.
  • In a related dispute, Sen. Mark Kelly is suing over Pentagon efforts to punish him for appearing in the video, and a federal judge signaled skepticism about the censure and retirement pay reduction.