Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Campaign as FBI Requests Interviews
A group of Democratic lawmakers branded by Donald Trump as engaging in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The group of four elected officials, along with two additional members, had produced a recorded message encouraging American troops to disobey illegal commands – a statement that provoked Trump, who posted on online platforms that the group were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
A statement, issued by US representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, verified that the FBI had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms seeking discussions with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and upholding the Constitution,” they stated, adding 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 not surrender our principles,” they added.
The statement deepens a conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, such as Arizona senator and ex-astronaut Mark Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”
Slotkin said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the lawmakers that “they are initiating what seems like an inquiry targeting the six individuals” and described the action 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 explained.
“He supports utilizing the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government to target dissenters. He fails to accept the rules govern his actions … which is exactly why we made the video, to offer reassurance that they had support as they observe these events develop.”
The US Department of Defense has also said it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations involving the senator that could, it indicated, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.