Sen. Slotkin threatened students like me. Senate needs an ethics probe

A University of Chicago student journalist who reported Senator Elissa Slotkin’s comments is calling for a Senate ethics investigation. The writer argues that Slotkin’s stated aim of deterring young conservatives from government service through possible investigations and prosecutions could intimidate people based on their political views and reflect poorly on the Senate.

The article says Slotkin made the remarks at a campus event with Vox editorial director Astead Herndon, and that the student has now filed an ethics complaint. It also cites condemnations from members of Congress and President Trump, a referral to the Justice Department’s Office of Civil Rights, and a separate complaint from a government watchdog. Slotkin has said she meant that people who break the law should be prosecuted; the writer disputes that explanation, interpreting her comments as directed at those considering public service.