Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Campaign as FBI Seeks Interviews
A group of Democrat lawmakers labeled by Donald Trump as engaging in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is using the FBI to target them as a “tool to pressure and threaten congressional representatives.”
The four elected officials, together with two additional members, had created a recorded message encouraging US military service members to resist illegal commands – a statement that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the individuals were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.
An announcement, issued by congressional lawmakers Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, verified that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting interviews with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and upholding the Constitution,” they said, adding that they had each sworn an oath “to uphold and protect” the Constitution of the United States.
“That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.
The declaration intensifies a conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, such as the senator from Arizona and former astronaut Mark Kelly and the Michigan representative Representative Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “refuse illegal orders.”
Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had informed the group that “they are opening what seems like an investigation against the six of us” and described the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“To be honest, the leader’s response and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we created the message,” she said.
“He supports utilizing the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the government agencies against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the law applies to him … which is precisely the reason we produced the recording, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is conducting a review of misconduct allegations against Kelly that might, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
