Democrats Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Campaign as FBI Requests Meetings
A group of Democratic lawmakers branded by Donald Trump as engaging in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the US leader is using the FBI to target them as a “tool to pressure and threaten congressional representatives.”
The group of four politicians, along with two additional members, had created a video encouraging American troops to resist illegal commands – a statement that provoked Trump, who posted on social media that the individuals were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.
An announcement, released by congressional lawmakers 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.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and upholding the Constitution,” they said, noting that they had each sworn an oath “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 declaration intensifies a conflict between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, such as the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, 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 initiating what seems like an investigation targeting the six individuals” and described the move as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“To be honest, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason we created the message,” she explained.
“He supports utilizing the federal government against his perceived adversaries, 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 exactly why we produced the recording, to give people some assurance that they had support as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior against Kelly that might, it indicated, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.