Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Tactic as FBI Requests Meetings
A group of Democrat politicians branded by the president as engaging in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the president is employing the FBI against them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.”
The group of four elected officials, along with two others, had produced a video urging US military service members to resist illegal commands – a statement that angered Trump, who posted on online platforms that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
A statement, issued by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the FBI had contacted the Congressional security officials requesting discussions with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and upholding the Constitution,” they stated, noting that they had each taken a vow “to uphold and protect” the Constitution of the United States.
“That commitment is permanent, and we plan to honor it. We will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they continued.
The declaration deepens a dispute between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, including Arizona senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which advised the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”
Slotkin said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the lawmakers that “they are opening what appears to be an inquiry targeting the six individuals” and characterized the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.
“To be honest, the president’s reaction and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason we created the message,” she said.
“He supports utilizing the US 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 precisely the reason 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 conducting a review of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that could, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to face court-martial proceedings.
