Michigan Senator Slotkin Confronts Hegseth Over Military Use on Protesters – Video

Michigan Senator challenges legality of armed force on U.S. soil in high-stakes hearing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Issued by the Office of Senator Elissa Slotkin at 11:30 a.m. on June 18, 2025 – Sen. Elissa Slotkin demanded clarity from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about U.S. military roles during domestic protests, citing legal and constitutional concerns.

Slotkin Demands Answers on Military’s Role in Handling Civilian Protests

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on June 18, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the U.S. military’s involvement in handling unarmed domestic protests. The exchange centered on whether Hegseth or any senior defense official has authorized the arrest, detention, or use of lethal force by active-duty military personnel against civilians on American soil.

Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and national security advisor who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, raised concerns that echoed public alarm about increasing military presence at peaceful protest sites across the country.

Slotkin Highlights Constitutional Boundaries and Civil Liberties

Senator Slotkin’s line of questioning focused on the Posse Comitatus Act, a 19th-century federal law that limits the use of the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement purposes. Slotkin cited her experience serving alongside the military in Iraq and her national security credentials, warning that “crossing the line between defense and domestic policing erodes public trust.”

Her remarks emphasized that the military’s primary mission is to defend against foreign threats — not to police American streets. “The American people deserve to know whether the Department of Defense has considered or approved tactics that conflict with the rule of law and civil rights,” Slotkin said.

Michigan Concerns: Civil-Military Balance Hits Home

The issue is especially relevant in Michigan, where large-scale protests over economic conditions, water quality, and civil rights have occurred in cities like Flint, Detroit, and Lansing over the past decade. The deployment of National Guard forces during past unrest already drew scrutiny. Slotkin’s comments reflect anxieties among Michigan residents that military escalation during domestic unrest could stifle lawful assembly.

Her questioning drew support from civil rights organizations and Michigan-based legal experts, many of whom raised alarms about the possibility of military overreach if civilian protests are met with lethal force.

Defense Secretary Hegseth Offers Limited Response

Secretary Hegseth, who was appointed by President Trump and confirmed earlier this year, offered few direct answers. He stated that the Department of Defense adheres to the law and supports civilian control of the military. However, he did not clearly deny whether authorizations for use of force have been considered or issued.

“We follow the Constitution,” Hegseth replied tersely. The vague response drew visible frustration from Slotkin, who called for immediate transparency and additional oversight hearings.

Push for Accountability Likely to Continue in Senate

Senator Slotkin’s office confirmed that she intends to follow up with written questions and may push for a formal inquiry or resolution if the Pentagon fails to provide clarity.

Legal scholars, including Mary Ellen O’Connell at Notre Dame Law School, have publicly warned that even the perception of military enforcement against civilians could erode democratic norms. O’Connell told the New York Times in a previous interview that “domestic military force, unless in extreme emergencies, risks violating both U.S. law and international human rights agreements.”

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