D.C. Grand Jury Rejects Indictments Against Sen. Slotkin and Democrats in Military Orders Case
February 11, 2026
A Washington, D.C. grand jury declined to indict Sen. Elissa Slotkin and five other Democratic lawmakers after prosecutors sought indictments over a year-end video urging active-duty military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders.
The group of featured lawmakers includes Slotkin and colleagues such as Maggie Goodlander, Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio, and Mark Kelly.
The Justice Department had opened an investigation into the video, involving Kelly, Slotkin, and four House members who had prior military or intelligence service.
The development is framed as part of a broader pattern of challenges to prosecutors’ cases during the Trump era, highlighting controversy over aggressive prosecutions of political opponents.
TIME requested comment from the Justice Department on the case.
Goodlander said Trump directed the DOJ to investigate, arrest, and punish her for doing her job, portraying the probe as presidential overreach and a waste of taxpayer dollars.
The piece underscores ongoing partisan tensions over lawmakers’ speech on military obedience and the Trump administration’s use of federal power in response to criticisms.
The DOJ sought indictments while the Pentagon was reportedly considering court-martial action against Kelly, against a backdrop of Trump deployments and military actions.
The NYT notes that grand juries rarely reject indictment requests, but such rejections have become more common in recent years amid Trump-influenced DOJ actions.
NBC News and the New York Times reported the attempted indictment process, with no immediate comment from the DOJ at publication.
Slotkin characterized the investigation as a partisan effort and viewed the grand jury’s decision as upholding the rule of law.
The article notes related reporting from Mediaite and references a Mediaite newsletter promotion at the end.
Summary based on 19 sources
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Sources

The Guardian • Feb 11, 2026
Grand jury declines to indict Democrats asking troops to refuse illegal orders

