Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Interviews
A group of Democrat politicians branded by Donald Trump as involved in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the US leader is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “tool to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”
The four politicians, along with two others, had created a video urging American troops to disobey illegal commands – a message that provoked Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the individuals were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, released by US representatives Jason Crow, the Pennsylvania representatives, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms seeking interviews with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and upholding the Constitution,” they stated, noting that they had each taken a vow “to uphold and protect” the US constitution.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they added.
The statement deepens a dispute between the president’s team and Democrats, including Arizona senator and former astronaut Mark 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 FBI’s counter-terrorism division had notified the lawmakers that “they are initiating what appears to be an investigation targeting the six individuals” and characterized the move as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“To be honest, the leader’s response and the use of the FBI against us is precisely the reason we made the video,” she said.
“He believes in using the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s not afraid to use the government agencies to target dissenters. He fails to accept the rules govern his actions … which is precisely the reason we made the video, to offer reassurance 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 against Kelly that might, it indicated, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.