Democratic lawmakers Allege Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Campaign as FBI Seeks Meetings
A group of Democrat politicians labeled by Donald Trump as engaging in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the president is employing the FBI against them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The group of four elected officials, along with two others, had produced a recorded message encouraging US military service members to resist unlawful orders – a message that provoked Trump, who wrote on social media that the individuals were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
An announcement, released by US representatives the Colorado congressman, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, verified that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reached out to 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 upholding the Constitution,” they said, noting 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 statement intensifies a conflict between the Trump administration and Democrats, such as the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Representative Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which advised the military and intelligence services members to “disregard unlawful commands.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the group that “they are opening what seems like an investigation against the six of us” and described the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“Frankly, the leader’s response and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video,” she explained.
“He supports utilizing the federal government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s not afraid to use the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the rules govern his actions … 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 Pentagon has additionally stated it is conducting a review of misconduct allegations involving the senator that might, it indicated, result in him being recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
