Hello,
As you know, last week was just my second week in the Senate. There's no Spring Training or warmup period - you just jump right into serious work. And last week, I had my first of five cabinet confirmation hearings. First one up was Pete Hegseth, nominee for Secretary of Defense.
I wanted to talk to you a little bit about my approach to that hearing, and how it fits with how you'll see me focus my time and efforts in the Senate.
When something comes up, I am going to ask myself:
Is it tactical or strategic? Meaning, is it something short-term and for shock value but probably won't last — or is it strategic and long-term? And then, is it reversible or irreversible? Will it cause damage that can’t be reversed with a new Administration?
So in our hearing, the questions I focused on were ones that were strategic and irreversible that Pete Hegseth could do as Secretary of Defense. Something like using the military inside the United States, in law enforcement roles, and in ways that make Americans afraid of their own military, that violates the Constitution or taints the military as the apolitical institution that we all want. As a Democratic Senator elected on the same ticket as President-elect Trump, I respect that Pete Hegseth and I will disagree on policy — but there shouldn’t be any flexibility around respecting the Constitution.
This is just the first of these confirmation hearings. Later in the week, I questioned both the nominees for Secretary of Homeland Security and Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Still to come are nominees for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of Agriculture.
In each, I will continue to press nominees on the oaths they intend to swear to the Constitution – not to the President or their political party.
Thank you,
Elissa Slotkin
👋🏻 Wait, before you click away! 🇺🇸
United States Senators often keep on fundraising after their election ends, but Elissa doesn't want to keep bombarding your inbox with fundraising requests.
What we will do is send you good, timely content - like this message. Stuff you might open without dread.
But she does hope you may consider making a small, monthly recurring contribution. Even just $5 or $10 - so we don't have to send those mass fundraising emails while Elissa is focused on her work as a Senator.
Make a recurring contribution to Elissa Slotkin's campaign here.
If you've stored your info with ActBlue, we'll process your recurring contribution instantly:
PAID FOR BY ELISSA SLOTKIN FOR MICHIGAN
P.O. Box 4145
East Lansing, MI 48826
This email was sent to [email protected]. Email is a very important way we communicate with supporters like you, but if you want to, you can unsubscribe here.
Sign up here to receive fewer emails.
Elissa Slotkin served in the Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of Defense. Use of her job titles and photographs during service do not imply endorsement by the Central Intelligence Agency OR the Department of Defense.