Democrats Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Campaign as FBI Requests Meetings
A collection of Democratic lawmakers branded by Donald Trump as involved in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “instrument to pressure and threaten congressional representatives.”
The four politicians, together with two others, had produced a video urging US military service members to disobey unlawful orders – a statement that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the individuals were “disloyal citizens” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, released by US representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, verified 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 prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they stated, adding 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 will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they continued.
The declaration intensifies a conflict between the president’s team and Democrats, such as the senator from Arizona and former astronaut Mark Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had informed the group that “they are opening what seems like an investigation against the six of us” and characterized the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“To be honest, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason we made the video,” she said.
“He believes in using the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the law applies to him … which is exactly why we produced the recording, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has also said it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.
