Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Campaign as FBI Requests Interviews
A collection of Democrat politicians branded by Donald Trump as engaging in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the US leader is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a “tool to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”
The group of four elected officials, together with two additional members, had produced a video urging US military service members to resist illegal commands – a statement that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the group were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even face the death penalty.
A statement, released by US representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the FBI had reached out to the Congressional security officials seeking discussions with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and upholding the Constitution,” they said, noting that they had each taken a vow “to uphold and protect” the US constitution.
“That commitment is permanent, and we plan to honor it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship,” they added.
The statement intensifies a dispute between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, such as Arizona senator and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “disregard unlawful commands.”
Slotkin said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had notified the group that “they are opening what seems like an inquiry against the six of us” and described the move as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“Frankly, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is exactly why we created the message,” she explained.
“He believes in using the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government to target dissenters. He does not believe the rules govern his actions … which is exactly why we made the video, to offer reassurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has additionally stated it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations against Kelly that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.
