Democrats Allege Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Campaign as FBI Seeks Meetings
A group of Democratic lawmakers branded by the president as engaging in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the president is employing the FBI to target them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The group of four elected officials, along with two others, had created a video urging US military service members to disobey illegal commands – a message that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the individuals were “disloyal citizens” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
A statement, released by US representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reached out to the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting interviews with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our constitution,” they said, noting that they had each taken a vow “to support and defend” the Constitution of the United States.
“That commitment is permanent, and we plan to honor it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.
The declaration intensifies a conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, including Arizona senator and former astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which advised the military and intelligence services members to “disregard unlawful commands.”
Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had informed the lawmakers that “they are opening what appears to be an investigation targeting the six individuals” and described the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“To be honest, the leader’s response and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video,” she explained.
“He believes in using the federal government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s not afraid to use the government agencies against people he disagrees with. He fails to accept the rules govern his actions … which is precisely the reason we made the video, to give people some assurance that they had support as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has also said it is conducting a review of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that might, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to face court-martial proceedings.
