Slotkin's viral 'threat' to conservatives takes new twist as student moves to hold her accountable: 'Shocking'

The complaint, submitted Thursday to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, alleges that Slotkin proposed using congressional investigations and potential prosecutions to deter young people from serving in a Republican administration. This stems from remarks Slotkin made at an October 13 University of Chicago event that went viral.

During the event, Slotkin stated: 'I want young people coming out of school to say, "Should I go work for the Trump administration? Like, that sounds fun, I might get an opportunity." I want them to be like, "Lord, that might be buying myself a ton of problems that I don't want, and so let me avoid participating in that." I want that deterrence message sent.'

Ethics Complaint Filed

Bicksel's complaint argues that Slotkin's comments amounted to "improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate." He wrote: Recently at an event at my college, the University of Chicago, Senator Slotkin laid out a legislative-oversight agenda that involved using the legal process to terrorize members of the Trump administration in order to 'deter' young people from going to work for it.

Slotkin's Defense

Slotkin has dismissed the controversy as "manufactured outrage." When pressed on the response to her comments on CNN, she said: I think the thing that I've heard from my own Republican colleagues and peers, including interns and folks who work around the Hill who come to our events, they'll tell you, 'I was worried.' My parents were worried, you know. It's really messy. I'm not sure what to get involved in.' Politics, in general, has become messy.

Slotkin also released a statement claiming: Now, if you take a breath, this is all pretty crazy. A president from the Oval Office is weaponizing our justice system against an American who clearly gets under his skin. And if he can do it to me, he can do it to anyone. His supporters use a coordinated play to threaten, intimidate, and silence anyone who speaks up.

Growing Controversy

The Justice Department is currently facing calls to investigate Slotkin over her remarks, according to a Washington Examiner report. Bicksel clarified that Slotkin's comments were directed at students considering government service, not exclusively at people who commit crimes.

The substance of the 'deterrence message' is clear as day, Bicksel wrote. Her target was 'young people coming out of school' (like me and my classmates) who are debating whether they should 'go work for the Trump administration.' We are obviously not debating — as she subsequently tried to clarify — whether to go commit crimes or behave unethically. The complaint now awaits review by the Senate Select Committee on Ethics.