Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) tried to criticize the Republican Party’s immigration platform in an interview published Thursday, accusing it of promoting hate.
However, during the discussion, Slotkin appeared to align closely with key points often emphasized by conservatives, particularly on the need for legal, regulated immigration.
The interview, published by the New York Times, followed Slotkin’s recent efforts to reshape the Democratic Party’s strategic direction.
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
Over the past eight months, she has reportedly been working to reinvigorate the party amid concerns of internal division and declining public confidence.
The Michigan Democrat, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, addressed topics ranging from immigration to generational leadership shifts within her party.
Speaking on immigration policy, Slotkin acknowledged that while immigration remains vital to the United States, the process must be conducted lawfully.
“They just want them to come here through legal, vetted channels,” she said, describing the view she believes most Americans hold.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
Slotkin sharply criticized Republicans, stating, “The Republicans are fomenting anti-immigrant hate as a policy and a strategy, and Democrats are so scared of offending either immigration groups or people to the left of them — maybe they’re in a primary. They are concerned about saying: ‘No, not everyone gets to be here. Not everyone has the right to live in the United States,’ and we, like every other country in the world, get to know who and what is coming across our borders.”
Despite denouncing the Republican approach, her statement mirrored long-standing positions articulated by President Donald Trump and other Republicans.
The assertion that not everyone has a right to live in the U.S. and that immigration must be legally vetted are cornerstone policies of the Trump administration’s immigration framework.
Slotkin’s comments come as Democrats continue to grapple with their messaging on border policy amid rising public frustration with illegal immigration and growing pressure from within the party to uphold progressive values.
The Biden-Harris administration, during its term in office, faced repeated criticism from both Republicans and immigration advocates over border enforcement and asylum policies.
In the interview, Slotkin also addressed concerns about leadership stagnation within the Democratic Party.
She suggested it was time for a new generation of leaders to emerge and accused long-serving figures in the party of being out of touch with the current political landscape.
“We need ‘Alpha Energy,’” Slotkin said, advocating for a more assertive posture from Democratic leaders.
While she did not name specific individuals, her remarks suggested frustration with the party’s establishment figures and hinted at a desire for more dynamic leadership.
However, Slotkin’s call for generational change may present challenges for her centrist approach, as younger Democrats tend to support more left-wing positions, particularly on issues like immigration, climate policy, and government spending.
When asked about her political future, Slotkin did not rule out the possibility of a presidential run in 2028.
“It’s just not where my head is right now,” she said, declining to commit to a potential campaign while leaving the door open.
Slotkin, who previously served in the CIA and the Department of Defense, has been a prominent voice in Democratic efforts to court moderate voters in battleground states.
