Slotkin Mocks 'Good Boy' Mike Johnson After Failed DOJ Indictment

Congresswoman calls on House Speaker to 'take a beat' and remember his role in providing checks and balances on the president

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) mocked House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as a 'good boy' for President Donald Trump after the Justice Department failed to secure a grand jury indictment against Slotkin and five other congressional Democrats. Slotkin and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) held a press conference criticizing Johnson and other Republicans for siding with the Trump administration's efforts to charge them over a video urging service members to disobey illegal orders.

Why it matters

The failed DOJ indictment highlights the ongoing partisan tensions and power struggles between Congress and the presidency, with Democrats accusing Republicans of being beholden to Trump and not upholding their constitutional duty to provide checks and balances on the executive branch.

The details

The DOJ had pursued charges against Slotkin and five other Democratic lawmakers, including two senators and four House members, over a video they filmed urging service members to disobey illegal orders. However, the grand jury ultimately declined to indict the lawmakers. In response, Slotkin criticized Johnson for siding with the Trump administration, saying the House Speaker should 'take a beat and remember why he's there' to provide checks on the president, not 'salute like a good boy.' Kelly also chided Johnson, saying he needs to 'seriously think about what he said publicly' and 'evaluate why he is there and who he is really serving.'

  • On February 11, 2026, the DOJ failed to secure a grand jury indictment against Slotkin and five other Democratic lawmakers.
  • On February 11, 2026, Slotkin and Kelly held a press conference criticizing Johnson and other Republicans.

The players

Elissa Slotkin

A Democratic senator from Michigan who was one of the lawmakers targeted by the DOJ investigation.

Mike Johnson

The Republican House Speaker from Louisiana who argued the Democratic lawmakers should be charged with obstruction.

Mark Kelly

A Democratic senator from Arizona who joined Slotkin at the press conference and criticized Johnson's stance.

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What they’re saying

“The speaker of the House should take a beat and remember why he's there, and that our founding fathers designed this as a separate branch of government to provide checks and balances on the president, not salute like a good boy and do what he says every single time.”

— Elissa Slotkin, Senator (Washington Examiner)

“I think Mike needs to go back to his office and seriously think about what he said publicly. He's the speaker of the House of Representatives. He's one of the most powerful people in this country. And if he's going to side at every moment with this administration when they are clearly not on the side of the Constitution, I think he's got to really evaluate why he is there and who he is really serving.”

— Mark Kelly, Senator (Washington Examiner)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.