Democrats Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Meetings
A group of Democrat lawmakers labeled by the president as involved in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the US leader is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a “tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The four elected officials, together with two others, had produced a recorded message encouraging US military service members to disobey unlawful orders – a message that provoked Trump, who posted on social media that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus could be jailed or even face the death penalty.
An announcement, released by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting discussions with them.
“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever stop us from doing our jobs and upholding the Constitution,” they stated, adding that they had each sworn an oath “to support and defend” the US constitution.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they continued.
The declaration intensifies a conflict between the Trump administration and Democrats, such as Arizona senator and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “disregard unlawful commands.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had notified the group that “they are opening what appears to be an investigation against the six of us” and described the move as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“To be honest, the president’s reaction and the deployment of the FBI to target us is exactly why we created the message,” she said.
“He supports utilizing the federal government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s not afraid to use the government agencies to target dissenters. He does not believe the rules govern his actions … which is precisely the reason we made the video, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they observe these events develop.”
The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is conducting a review of misconduct allegations involving the senator that might, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to face court-martial proceedings.
