Democrats Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Tactic as FBI Requests Meetings
A collection of Democratic lawmakers branded by Donald Trump as involved in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the president is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “tool to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.”
The four politicians, along with two others, had produced a recorded message encouraging American troops to disobey unlawful orders – a message that provoked Trump, who wrote on social media that the individuals were “disloyal citizens” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.
A statement, released by US representatives the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, verified that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the Congressional security officials requesting discussions with them.
“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they stated, adding 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 statement intensifies a dispute between the Trump administration and Democrats, including the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Representative Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “refuse illegal orders.”
The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the group that “they are opening what appears to be an investigation targeting the six individuals” 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 precisely the reason we made the video,” she said.
“He supports utilizing the federal government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government to target dissenters. He fails to accept 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 additionally stated it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations against Kelly that could, it indicated, result in him being recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings.
