Elissa Slotkin Assails Trump’s Early Actions, Offers Democrats a Way to Fight Back

First-term Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin delivered a sharp critique of President Donald Trump’s early actions in his second term, accusing him of exacerbating economic challenges while catering to billionaire allies. In Tuesday night’s Democratic response to Trump’s first joint congressional address, Slotkin charged that the president "has not laid out a credible plan" to combat rising everyday expenses and warned that newly imposed tariffs would further strain the economy.

Speaking from Wyandotte, Michigan, a working-class community near Detroit, Slotkin acknowledged America’s desire for change but cautioned against what she called "reckless" policymaking. “We can make that change without forgetting who we are as a country and as a democracy,” she stated.

Trump’s address, the longest ever delivered by a U.S. president to Congress, touted what he called "swift and unrelenting action" on economic, immigration, and foreign policy issues. However, Slotkin countered by highlighting the rising national debt and warning of a potential recession. “For those keeping score, the national debt is going up, not down,” she noted. “And if he’s not careful, he could walk us right into a recession.”

A former CIA analyst with deep national security experience, Slotkin took particular issue with Trump’s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting it would have had former President Ronald Reagan “rolling in his grave.”

Her remarks came as Democrats struggled to project a unified message against Trump, evident in the varied reactions among House Democrats during the address. Some held protest signs, others refused to attend, while some engaged in vocal criticism.

Slotkin concentrated on economic concerns following Trump’s announcement that new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada would take effect. She warned that such measures could exacerbate inflation and hinder growth. “President Trump is trying to deliver an unprecedented giveaway to his billionaire friends,” she argued. “He’s on the hunt to find trillions of dollars to pass along to the wealthiest in America. And to do that, he’s going to make you pay in every part of your life.”

Slotkin also underscored broader threats to democracy, cautioning against selective adherence to laws and judicial rulings. “It’s at risk when the president decides to pick and choose what rules you want to follow, when he ignores court orders and the Constitution itself, or when elected leaders stand by and just let it happen,” she said.

For the address, Slotkin was joined by Marine veteran Andrew Lennox, who recently spoke out after losing his job at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Ann Arbor due to cuts enacted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk.

At 48, Slotkin is emerging as a key leader in the Democratic Party’s future. Having first won office in 2018 by defeating a two-term Republican incumbent, she built a reputation as a formidable fundraiser while holding one of the most competitive House seats. In 2023, she launched her campaign for Michigan’s open Senate seat following Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s decision not to seek reelection.