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

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

The group of four elected officials, along with two additional members, had created a recorded message encouraging US military service members to resist illegal commands – a message that angered Trump, who posted on online platforms that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.

An announcement, issued by congressional lawmakers Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, verified that the FBI had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting discussions with them.

“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our constitution,” they said, noting 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 not surrender our principles,” they added.

The statement intensifies a conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, including the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Representative Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “disregard unlawful commands.”

Slotkin said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had informed the lawmakers that “they are initiating what seems like an investigation against the six of us” and characterized the move 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 said.

“He believes in using the federal government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ 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 watch this stuff unfold.”

The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations involving the senator that could, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.