Democrats Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Campaign as FBI Requests Meetings
A group of Democrat lawmakers labeled by the president as engaging in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The four politicians, along with two others, had created a video encouraging US military service members to disobey illegal commands – 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 congressional lawmakers Jason Crow, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the FBI had reached out to 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 stated, noting that they had each taken a vow “to uphold and protect” the US constitution.
“That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.
The declaration intensifies a dispute between the president’s team and Democrats, including Arizona senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Representative Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “refuse illegal orders.”
Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had informed the lawmakers that “they are initiating what appears to be an investigation targeting the six individuals” and characterized the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“To be honest, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason 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 law applies to him … which is exactly why we made the video, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The US Department of Defense has also said it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that might, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
