A collection of Democratic lawmakers branded by the president as involved in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the US leader is employing the FBI to target them as a “tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”
The four politicians, together with two additional members, had produced a recorded message urging American troops to resist unlawful orders – a statement that angered Trump, who wrote on social media that the individuals were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.
A statement, released by US representatives the Colorado congressman, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the Congressional security officials requesting interviews 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 taken a vow “to support and defend” the Constitution of the United States.
“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they continued.
The declaration intensifies a conflict between the president’s team and Democrats, such as the senator from Arizona and former astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which advised the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had notified the lawmakers that “they are initiating what appears to be an inquiry against the six of us” and described the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.
“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video,” she said.
“He believes in using the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the law applies to him … which is exactly why we produced the recording, to offer reassurance that they had support as they watch this stuff unfold.”
The US Department of Defense has also said it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that could, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.
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