🔗 Share this article Democrats Allege Trump of ‘Harassment’ Tactic as FBI Seeks Meetings A group of Democrat lawmakers branded by Donald Trump as engaging in “subversive conduct” have claimed that the president is employing the FBI against them as a “instrument to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.” The group of four politicians, along with two others, had created a video urging US military service members to disobey illegal commands – a message that angered Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the group were “traitors” and thus might face imprisonment or even be subject to capital punishment. An announcement, issued by US representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reached out to the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting discussions with them. “No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever prevent us from fulfilling our duties and honoring our constitution,” they said, noting 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 refuse to be intimidated. We will not surrender our principles,” they continued. The statement deepens a conflict between the president’s team and Democrats, such as Arizona senator and former astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Representative Slotkin, over the video message, 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 appears to be an investigation against the six of us” and described the action as a “scare tactic” by Trump. “To be honest, the president’s reaction and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video,” she explained. “He supports utilizing the federal government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the law applies to him … which is precisely the reason we made the video, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they observe these events develop.” The Pentagon has also said it is performing an examination of claims of improper behavior against Kelly that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to face court-martial proceedings.