Senator Elissa Slotkin

WASHINGTON — After joining five other congressional Democrats in calling on members of the military and intelligence agencies to refuse illegal orders from President Donald Trump’s administration, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) has formed a legal defense fund as the FBI pursues an inquiry into the lawmakers in the video.

Shared on social media on Nov. 18, Slotkin appeared alongside Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, who are all military veterans and former intelligence officers. The video quickly drew Trump’s ire, with the president calling the video “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

On Saturday, the Detroit News reported that the first-term senator had formed a legal defense fund, with Slotkin spokesperson Sonja Thrasher telling the News the fund had been created with approval from the bipartisan U.S. Senate Ethics Committee.

“Since President Trump called for Senator Slotkin to be arrested, tried, and hanged on November 20th, he has attempted to weaponize federal law enforcement and America’s legal system against her, reportedly over the objections of career FBI personnel,” Thrasher told the News.

Members of the Senate can establish these funds to cover the cost of legal services “relating to or arising by virtue of service in or to the Senate” according to the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen. Senate rules bar lobbyists, foreign agents and nationals, Senate staffers, corporations, labor unions and the member’s campaign committee from donating to the fund.

Other individuals can contribute up to $10,000 a year. The fund’s trustee must also submit quarterly reports to the Select Committee on Ethics and the Office of Public Records with details on donations over $25 as well as the fund’s expenditures.