Democratic lawmakers Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Seeks Interviews
A group of Democrat politicians labeled by Donald Trump as involved in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the US leader is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The group of four elected officials, along with two additional members, had created a video urging US military service members to resist unlawful orders – a statement that provoked Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the group were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, issued by congressional lawmakers Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the FBI had contacted the Congressional security officials seeking discussions with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and upholding the Constitution,” they stated, adding that they had each sworn an oath “to support and defend” the US constitution.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will not surrender our principles,” they continued.
The declaration deepens a conflict between the president’s team and Democrats, such as the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Representative Slotkin, over the video message, which advised the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “disregard unlawful commands.”
Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had notified the lawmakers that “they are opening what appears to be an inquiry targeting the six individuals” and characterized the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“Frankly, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is exactly why we made the video,” she explained.
“He supports utilizing the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the law applies to him … which is precisely the reason we made the video, to give people some assurance that they had support as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has additionally stated it is conducting a review of misconduct allegations involving the senator that could, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.
