Democrats Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Campaign as FBI Seeks Interviews
A collection of Democrat politicians branded by the president as engaging in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the president is using the FBI to target them as a “tool to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”
The four elected officials, together with two additional members, had created a recorded message urging US military service members to disobey unlawful orders – a message that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the individuals were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
An announcement, released by US representatives the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, verified that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reached out to the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting discussions with them.
“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they said, noting that they had each sworn an oath “to uphold and protect” the US constitution.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they continued.
The declaration intensifies a dispute between the president’s team and Democrats, including the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which advised the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had notified the lawmakers that “they are opening what seems like an inquiry targeting the six individuals” and described the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“Frankly, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is exactly why we made the video,” she said.
“He supports utilizing the federal government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the government agencies against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the law applies to him … which is precisely the reason we made the video, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The Pentagon has also said it is conducting a review of misconduct allegations against Kelly that might, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.
