Democratic lawmakers Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Meetings
A collection of Democrat lawmakers branded by the president as engaging in “seditious behavior” have asserted that the president is employing the FBI to target them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.”
The group of four politicians, together with two additional members, had produced a video urging US military service members to resist illegal commands – a message that provoked Trump, who wrote on social media that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
A statement, released by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, verified that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reached out to the Congressional security officials seeking interviews with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and upholding the Constitution,” they stated, noting that they had each taken a vow “to support and defend” 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 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 recorded appeal, which advised the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “disregard unlawful commands.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had notified the lawmakers that “they are initiating what appears to be an inquiry targeting the six individuals” and characterized the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“Frankly, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason we created the message,” she explained.
“He believes in using the federal government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He fails to accept the rules govern his actions … which is exactly why we produced the recording, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations involving the senator that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to face court-martial proceedings.
