Democrats Fundraise Off Failed DOJ Indictment

Slotkin, Kelly, and others ramp up appeals after grand jury declines charges

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Several Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, have launched aggressive fundraising campaigns after a federal grand jury declined to indict them over a controversial video urging U.S. service members to resist "illegal orders." The lawmakers, who also include several House Democrats, are using the failed DOJ investigation as a rallying cry to solicit donations from supporters.

Why it matters

The Democrats' fundraising push highlights how they are seeking to turn a perceived legal threat into a political opportunity, framing the failed indictment as an attempt by the Trump administration to "intimidate" them. This strategy could help energize the party's base ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The details

A grand jury in Washington, D.C., declined to bring charges against Slotkin, Kelly, and four House Democrats following a Justice Department investigation into a social media video they released late last year. The video encouraged military personnel to question the legality of certain orders amid debate over the Trump administration's strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels from Latin America. The decision not to indict marked a setback for U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and the Trump administration.

  • On Tuesday, a grand jury in Washington, D.C., declined to indict the lawmakers.
  • The Justice Department investigation was launched after the lawmakers posted the 90-second video late last year.

The players

Elissa Slotkin

A Democratic senator from Michigan who is using the failed indictment to ramp up fundraising efforts.

Mark Kelly

A Democratic senator from Arizona who has seen a significant fundraising boost since the Pentagon's investigation first broke.

Jeanine Pirro

The U.S. Attorney who led the Justice Department investigation into the lawmakers' video.

Donald Trump

The former president whose administration was behind the failed indictment attempt.

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What they’re saying

“They tried to indict me”

— Elissa Slotkin (Democratic National Committee fundraising message)

“I want to walk you through what happened and then ask for your help in fighting back against this legal intimidation from the Trump administration”

— Elissa Slotkin (Democratic National Committee fundraising message)

“What we need from this team, right now, is the peace of mind that Mark has all the resources he'll need to stay the course”

— Team Kelly (Fundraising email)

What’s next

The lawmakers under investigation are expected to continue their aggressive fundraising campaigns in the coming weeks and months as they seek to capitalize on the failed indictment attempt and rally their supporters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The takeaway

The Democrats' response to the failed DOJ indictment highlights how political parties are increasingly using legal threats and investigations as fundraising opportunities, framing them as attempts by the opposing side to "intimidate" or "harass" them. This strategy could help energize the party's base, but also raises questions about the role of money in politics and the potential for such tactics to further polarize the electorate.