Democrats Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Seeks Interviews
A collection of Democratic lawmakers branded by Donald Trump as involved in “seditious behavior” have asserted that the US leader is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The group of four elected officials, together with two others, had created a video encouraging American troops to disobey illegal commands – a message that provoked Trump, who wrote on social media that the individuals were “disloyal citizens” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, issued by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation 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 stated, adding that they had each sworn an oath “to support and defend” the US constitution.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.
The declaration intensifies a conflict between the Trump administration and Democrats, including Arizona senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which advised the military and intelligence services members to “disregard unlawful commands.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division 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 use of the FBI against us is precisely the reason we created the message,” she said.
“He supports utilizing the federal government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government to target dissenters. He does not believe the law applies to him … which is exactly why we produced the recording, to give people some assurance that they had support as they observe these events develop.”
The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that might, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.
