Democrats Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Meetings
A group of Democrat lawmakers labeled by the president as engaging in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the president is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “tool to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”
The four politicians, along with two additional members, had created a video encouraging US military service members to disobey illegal commands – a message that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the individuals were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, released by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the FBI 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 honoring our constitution,” they said, adding that they had each taken a vow “to uphold and protect” the Constitution of the United States.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship,” they continued.
The statement intensifies a conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, such as the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Representative Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”
Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had notified the lawmakers that “they are initiating what seems like an investigation against the six of us” and characterized the move 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 explained.
“He believes in using the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s not afraid to use the arms of the government to target dissenters. 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 had support as they observe these events develop.”
The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior against Kelly that could, it indicated, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.
