In a significant development, the FBI is in the process of arranging interviews with six Democratic lawmakers who recently appeared in a video urging members of the military and intelligence community not to comply with illegal orders. This information was initially reported by Fox News and has raised concerns regarding the implications of such an investigation.
This move by the FBI follows accusations by former President Donald Trump, who has labeled the Democratic lawmakers—each of whom has a background in military or intelligence roles—as engaging in "seditious behavior." The specifics of the ongoing investigation remain unclear, but the lawmakers have confirmed that they were contacted by the sergeants-at-arms of the House or Senate regarding the situation.
In a unified response, four of the Democratic representatives involved in the video expressed their concerns through a joint statement. They accused Trump of "using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress." The statement, issued by Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, emphasized their commitment to uphold the Constitution. They stated, “No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.”
Joining the representatives are two senators: Mark Kelly of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, both of whom also condemned the FBI's involvement. A spokesperson for Kelly reiterated that he would not be silenced by what they described as intimidation tactics from Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In another twist, the Defense Department announced an investigation into Senator Kelly, indicating that he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice as a retired member of the military. Secretary Hegseth has directed the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report on this matter by December 10.
Justice Department guidelines require that any investigative measures taken against sitting members of Congress undergo a rigorous approval process to prevent the misuse of federal law enforcement powers for political gain. However, Trump’s administration has been criticized for weakening the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, which previously served as a safeguard against politically motivated investigations. Reports indicate that this office has been significantly reduced, now employing only two prosecutors compared to 36 at the beginning of Trump’s second term.
Senator Slotkin, a former CIA officer, made her stance clear on social media, stating, “I’m not going to let this next step from the FBI stop me from speaking up for my country and our Constitution.” She emphasized that Trump’s directive to the FBI to target them is precisely why they created the video in the first place, arguing that he seeks to weaponize the federal government against those he perceives as enemies.
As this situation evolves, the actions of the FBI and the responses from the involved lawmakers highlight the complexities of the intersection between law enforcement and political discourse. The ongoing investigation raises critical questions about the integrity of political processes and the potential for federal power to be utilized as a means of intimidation.