Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Campaign as FBI Requests Meetings
A group of Democrat politicians branded by Donald Trump as engaging in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the president is using the FBI against them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.”
The group of four politicians, together with two additional members, had created a video encouraging US military service members to disobey unlawful orders – a statement that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the individuals were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.
An announcement, issued by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, verified that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms seeking discussions with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment 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 Constitution of the United States.
“That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they added.
The declaration deepens a dispute between the president’s team and Democrats, such as Arizona senator and former astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Representative Slotkin, over the video message, 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 lawmakers that “they are opening what seems like an investigation targeting the six individuals” and described the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“To be honest, the president’s reaction and the use of the FBI against us is precisely the reason we made the video,” she explained.
“He supports utilizing the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the government agencies against people he disagrees with. He fails to accept the law applies to him … which is precisely the reason we made the video, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has also said it is conducting a review of misconduct allegations against Kelly that could, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.
