Democrats Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Interviews
A group of Democrat politicians labeled by the president as involved in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the president is using the FBI to target them as a “instrument to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”
The four politicians, along with two additional members, had created a recorded message urging American troops to resist unlawful orders – a statement that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the individuals were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even be subject to capital punishment.
An announcement, released by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, verified that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reached out to the Congressional security officials seeking discussions with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs 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 oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship,” they continued.
The statement deepens a dispute between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, such as the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Mark Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Representative Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had notified the group that “they are opening what seems like an inquiry against the six of us” and characterized the move as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the deployment of the FBI to target us is exactly why we made the video,” she explained.
“He believes in using the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the government agencies against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the rules govern his actions … which is exactly why we made the video, 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 conducting a review of misconduct allegations involving the senator that might, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.
