Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Campaign as FBI Seeks Meetings
A group of Democrat politicians branded by Donald Trump as involved in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the president is employing the FBI to target them as a “tool to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.”
The four politicians, along with two others, had created a video encouraging American troops to disobey unlawful orders – a message that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus could be jailed or even face the death penalty.
An announcement, issued by congressional lawmakers Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the FBI had contacted the Congressional security officials requesting interviews with them.
“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they said, adding that they had each sworn an oath “to support and defend” the Constitution of the United States.
“That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they added.
The declaration intensifies a conflict between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, such as Arizona senator and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “disregard unlawful commands.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the lawmakers that “they are initiating what appears to be an investigation against the six of us” and characterized the move as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the deployment of the FBI to target us is exactly why we made the video,” she said.
“He believes in using the US 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 fails to accept the law applies to him … which is exactly why we produced the recording, to offer reassurance that they had support as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has also said it is conducting a review of claims of improper behavior against Kelly that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.
