Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Seeks Meetings
A group of Democratic lawmakers labeled by the president as involved in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a “instrument to pressure and threaten congressional representatives.”
The group of four elected officials, along with two additional members, had created a recorded message encouraging American troops to disobey unlawful orders – a statement that angered Trump, who posted on online platforms that the group were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, released by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the FBI had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms seeking interviews with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our constitution,” they said, noting that they had each sworn an oath “to support and defend” the Constitution of the United States.
“That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they added.
The declaration deepens a conflict between the Trump administration and Democrats, such as Arizona senator and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which advised the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”
Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had notified the group that “they are opening what seems like an investigation targeting the six individuals” and characterized the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“To be honest, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason we made the video,” she said.
“He believes in using the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government to target dissenters. He fails to accept the law applies to him … which is exactly why we made the video, to offer reassurance that they weren’t alone as they observe these events develop.”
The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations involving the senator that could, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.
