FBI Probes Democratic Lawmakers for Speaking Out Against Trump's Orders
A video released by six Democratic lawmakers in mid-November urging military personnel to defy illegal orders has prompted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to request interviews with the lawmakers. The lawmakers, including Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Michigan Representative Elissa Slotkin, claimed that the FBI's inquiry was an attempt to intimidate them into silence.
Slotkin stated on social media that the FBI had reached out to her office, saying "The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place." She added that Trump believes he can use the federal government to harass and intimidate those who speak out against him. Slotkin vowed to continue speaking out against what she saw as an abuse of power by the Trump administration.
Other lawmakers, including Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, released a joint statement condemning Trump's actions, saying he was "using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress." The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to upholding their constitutional oath and vowed not to be bullied or intimidated into silence.
The Defense Department has launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Senator Kelly, who participated in the video. However, Kelly has stated that he will not be silenced by Trump's attempts to intimidate him, saying "If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work."
The lawmakers' actions are protected under the speech and debate clause of the Constitution, which shields members from "intimidation by the executive" or a "hostile judiciary." Despite Trump's attempts to bully them into silence, the lawmakers remain committed to their constitutional oath and will continue to speak out against what they see as an abuse of power.
A video released by six Democratic lawmakers in mid-November urging military personnel to defy illegal orders has prompted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to request interviews with the lawmakers. The lawmakers, including Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Michigan Representative Elissa Slotkin, claimed that the FBI's inquiry was an attempt to intimidate them into silence.
Slotkin stated on social media that the FBI had reached out to her office, saying "The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place." She added that Trump believes he can use the federal government to harass and intimidate those who speak out against him. Slotkin vowed to continue speaking out against what she saw as an abuse of power by the Trump administration.
Other lawmakers, including Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, released a joint statement condemning Trump's actions, saying he was "using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress." The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to upholding their constitutional oath and vowed not to be bullied or intimidated into silence.
The Defense Department has launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Senator Kelly, who participated in the video. However, Kelly has stated that he will not be silenced by Trump's attempts to intimidate him, saying "If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work."
The lawmakers' actions are protected under the speech and debate clause of the Constitution, which shields members from "intimidation by the executive" or a "hostile judiciary." Despite Trump's attempts to bully them into silence, the lawmakers remain committed to their constitutional oath and will continue to speak out against what they see as an abuse of power.
I think it's crazy that politicians are being questioned about speaking up against something they believe in... like we all have a right to our opinions, especially when it comes to the ones who are supposed to represent us. 
It's kinda scary how powerful the FBI can be, but at least these lawmakers aren't afraid to stand their ground 
like shouldn't they be able to express their opinions without being threatened or intimidated? 
it's like, they're just trying to do their job and hold the administration accountable, right? 
and I'm glad that other lawmakers are standing with her and refusing to be bullied into silence. 
like, Trump thinks he can just use the FBI to intimidate lawmakers? 
that's not how democracy works, bro! 
it's all about checks and balances and holding people in power accountable. 
- like Trump thinks he can just order the FBI around and get away with it? 
that's some serious abuse of power right there. I feel bad for these lawmakers, they're trying to do their job but Trump's all like "no you can't speak out against me" 
it's wild that Kelly is getting investigated for speaking out too... shouldn't he be the one doing the investigating? 
It's like, if you want to silence them, you need to actually do something tangible, not just try to intimidate them online. And can we talk about how Trump thinks he can use the FBI as a tool? That's some crazy behavior right there... 
Either way, I think these lawmakers are doing the right thing by speaking out.
they're sayin' no to Trump's bullying and intimidation tactics, and yeah, that takes a lot of courage 