Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Meetings
A collection of Democrat lawmakers branded by the president as engaging in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the president is using the FBI to target them as a “tool to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”
The group of four politicians, along with two others, had created a video urging American troops to resist illegal commands – a message that provoked Trump, who posted 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 Jason Crow, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, verified that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the Congressional security officials seeking interviews with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our constitution,” they stated, noting that they had each sworn an oath “to uphold and protect” the Constitution of the United States.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship,” they added.
The statement deepens a dispute between the president’s team and Democrats, including the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Mark Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa 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 notified the group that “they are opening what appears to be an inquiry against the six of us” and characterized the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“To be honest, the leader’s response and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video,” she explained.
“He believes in using the federal government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s not afraid to use the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He fails to accept the law applies to him … which is exactly why we produced the recording, to give people some assurance that they had support as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has additionally stated it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that could, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.
