Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Tactic as FBI Requests Interviews
A collection of Democrat lawmakers labeled by Donald Trump as involved in “seditious behavior” have asserted that the US leader is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.”
The group of four elected officials, along with two others, had produced a video encouraging American troops to disobey unlawful orders – a statement that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the group were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even be subject to capital punishment.
An announcement, released by US representatives the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the FBI had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms seeking discussions with them.
“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our constitution,” they said, noting that they had each sworn an oath “to uphold and protect” the Constitution of the United States.
“That commitment is permanent, and we plan to honor it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they added.
The statement intensifies a dispute between the Trump administration and Democrats, such as Arizona senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which advised the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “disregard unlawful commands.”
Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had informed the group that “they are initiating what seems like an investigation targeting the six individuals” and characterized the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why 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 exactly why we produced the recording, to offer reassurance that they weren’t alone as they observe these events develop.”
The Pentagon has also said it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations involving the senator that could, it indicated, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.
