🔗 Share this article Democratic lawmakers Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Requests Interviews A collection of Democrat politicians branded by Donald Trump as engaging in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass 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 message that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the individuals were “traitors” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment. An announcement, issued by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, 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 prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they stated, adding that they had each sworn an oath “to uphold and protect” the US constitution. “That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. 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 Mark Kelly and the Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “refuse illegal orders.” The Michigan lawmaker said the counter-terrorism unit of the FBI had notified the lawmakers that “they are opening what appears to be an investigation against the six of us” and characterized the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump. “To be honest, the leader’s response and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video,” she said. “He believes in using the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s willing to employ the government agencies against people he disagrees with. He fails to accept the rules govern his actions … which is precisely the reason we produced the recording, to offer reassurance that they had support as they observe these events develop.” The US Department of Defense has also said it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.