Democratic lawmakers Accuse Trump of ‘Harassment’ Campaign as FBI Seeks Meetings

A collection of Democrat politicians branded by the president as involved in “seditious behavior” have asserted that the president is using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “instrument to pressure and threaten congressional representatives.”

The group of four elected officials, together with two additional members, had produced a video encouraging US military service members to disobey illegal commands – a statement that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the individuals were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.

A statement, issued by US representatives the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, verified 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 upholding the 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 intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.

The statement deepens a conflict between the president’s team and Democratic leaders, including Arizona senator and former astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which advised the military and intelligence services members to “refuse illegal orders.”

The Michigan lawmaker said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had notified the group that “they are initiating what seems like an inquiry targeting the six individuals” and described 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 created the message,” she said.

“He believes in using the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s not afraid to use the government agencies to target dissenters. He fails to accept the law applies to him … which is exactly why we made the video, to offer reassurance 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 might, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.