Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Meetings
A collection of Democratic lawmakers labeled by Donald Trump as involved in “seditious behavior” have asserted that the US leader is using the FBI to target them as a “tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The group of four politicians, together with two others, had created a recorded message urging US military service members to resist unlawful orders – a message that provoked Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the individuals were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, issued by congressional lawmakers 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.
“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever stop us from doing our jobs and upholding the Constitution,” they said, 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 never give up the ship,” they continued.
The statement deepens a dispute between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, such as Arizona senator and former astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which advised the military and intelligence services members to “disregard unlawful commands.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had notified the group that “they are initiating what seems like an investigation 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 precisely the reason we made the video,” she said.
“He supports utilizing the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the government agencies against people he disagrees with. He fails to accept the rules govern his actions … which is precisely the reason we produced the recording, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has additionally stated it is conducting a review of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that might, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
