Democrats Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Campaign as FBI Requests Meetings
A group of Democrat politicians branded by the president as involved in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the US leader is using the FBI against them as a “instrument to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”
The group of four elected officials, together with two others, had produced a video encouraging US military service members to disobey unlawful orders – a message that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the group were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, released by US representatives the Colorado congressman, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reached out to the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting interviews with them.
“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they stated, noting that they had each sworn an oath “to support and defend” the US constitution.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. We will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.
The declaration deepens a dispute between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, such as the senator from Arizona and former astronaut Mark Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “refuse illegal orders.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the group that “they are opening what seems like an investigation targeting the six individuals” and characterized the move as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the use of the FBI against us is precisely the reason we made the video,” she explained.
“He believes in using the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s not afraid to use the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He fails to accept the law applies to him … which is exactly why we made the video, to offer reassurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is conducting a review of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to face court-martial proceedings.
