Democrats Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Campaign as FBI Requests Meetings
A group of Democratic politicians branded by the president as involved in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is employing the FBI to target them as a “tool to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”
The four elected officials, together with two others, had produced a video encouraging US military service members to resist unlawful orders – a statement that provoked Trump, who posted on social media that the group were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even face the death penalty.
An announcement, issued by US representatives Jason Crow, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the FBI had reached out to the House and Senate sergeants at arms seeking 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 uphold and protect” the Constitution of the United States.
“That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.
The statement deepens a dispute between the Trump administration and Democrats, such as the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa 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 characterized the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason we made the video,” she said.
“He supports utilizing the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, 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 exactly why we produced the recording, to offer reassurance that they had support as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The US Department of Defense has also said it is conducting a review of misconduct allegations involving the senator that might, it indicated, result in him being recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
