Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Interviews

A collection of Democrat lawmakers branded by Donald Trump as involved in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the president is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a “tool to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”

The four elected officials, together with two additional members, had produced a recorded message urging American troops to resist illegal commands – a statement that provoked Trump, who posted on online platforms that the individuals were “disloyal citizens” 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 Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reached out to the Congressional security officials requesting interviews with them.

“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they stated, 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 refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they continued.

The declaration intensifies a conflict between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, such as the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Representative Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which advised the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.”

The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the lawmakers that “they are initiating what appears to be an investigation targeting the six individuals” and described 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 exactly why we made the video,” she explained.

“He supports utilizing the US 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 produced the recording, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”

The Pentagon has also said it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations against Kelly that might, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.