Democrats Accuse Trump of ‘Intimidation’ Campaign as FBI Requests Interviews

A collection of Democrat lawmakers branded by Donald Trump as involved in “seditious behavior” have asserted that the president is using the FBI against them as a “instrument to pressure and threaten congressional representatives.”

The four elected officials, together with two others, had created a recorded message encouraging American troops to resist illegal commands – a message that angered Trump, who posted on online platforms that the individuals were “disloyal citizens” and thus might face imprisonment or even be subject to capital punishment.

A statement, released by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the FBI had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms seeking discussions with them.

“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and upholding the Constitution,” they said, 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 will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship,” they continued.

The statement deepens a conflict between the Trump administration and Democrats, such as Arizona senator and former astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Representative Slotkin, over the recorded appeal, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “refuse illegal orders.”

Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had notified the lawmakers that “they are initiating what seems like an inquiry targeting the six individuals” and characterized the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump.

“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the deployment of the FBI to target us is exactly why we created the message,” she explained.

“He supports utilizing the federal government against his perceived adversaries, 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 had support as they observe these events develop.”

The Pentagon has also said it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations against Kelly that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to face court-martial proceedings.