Democrats Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Campaign as FBI Requests Interviews
A group of Democratic politicians branded by the president as engaging in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is using the FBI to target them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.”
The four politicians, along with two additional members, had created a video urging American troops to resist illegal commands – a statement that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
An announcement, released by congressional lawmakers Jason Crow, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, verified that the FBI had contacted the Congressional security officials seeking interviews with them.
“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they stated, noting that they had each sworn an oath “to support and defend” the US constitution.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.
The declaration deepens a conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, including the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Mark Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which advised the military and intelligence services members to “disregard unlawful commands.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the lawmakers 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 leader’s response and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we created the message,” she said.
“He believes in using the federal government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the government agencies to target dissenters. 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 observe these events develop.”
The Pentagon has also said it is conducting a review of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.
