Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Seeks Meetings
A collection of Democratic politicians branded by Donald Trump as engaging in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the US leader is using the FBI to target them as a “tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The four politicians, together with two others, had produced a video urging US military service members to resist unlawful orders – a message that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
A statement, issued by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting interviews with them.
“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever stop us from doing our jobs and upholding the Constitution,” they stated, noting that they had each sworn an oath “to support and defend” the US constitution.
“That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they continued.
The declaration deepens a conflict between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, including the senator from Arizona and former astronaut Mark Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “disregard unlawful commands.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the group that “they are initiating what appears to be an investigation targeting the six individuals” and characterized the move as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason we made the video,” she explained.
“He supports utilizing the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s not afraid to use the government agencies against people he disagrees with. He does not believe 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 also said it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations against Kelly that might, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
