“If the executive branch can merely attempt to prosecute members of the legislative branch for simply exercising free speech, that is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem, it is a constitutional crisis,” said Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader.
Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and the other five Democratic lawmakers had posted a video that enraged President Trump by reminding active-duty members of the military and intelligence community of their obligation to refuse illegal orders.
The Justice Department investigation was an escalation in the administration’s response to a video that President Trump said was “punishable by death.”
The Justice Department investigation was an escalation in the administration’s response to a video that President Trump said was “punishable by death.”
The lawmakers, all Democrats who urged military service members not to follow illegal orders, said prosecutors had contacted them. But it is unclear what crime they might have committed.
The lawmakers, all Democrats who urged military service members not to follow illegal orders, said prosecutors had contacted them. But it is unclear what crime they might have committed.
Representative Jason Crow of Colorado, one of the lawmakers being investigated, said President Trump was “using his political cronies in the Department of Justice to continue to threaten and intimidate us.”
It is unclear what possible crime might involve Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, who has warned in dire terms about the dissolution of American democracy.
It is unclear what possible crime might involve Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, who has warned in dire terms about the dissolution of American democracy.
Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former C.I.A. officer, organized a video with five other Democratic lawmakers in which they urged military service members to resist illegal orders.
The F.B.I. inquiry is being conducted by the bureau’s counterterrorism division, according to a statement by Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, who served as a C.I.A. analyst and organized the video.
Six lawmakers, who all served in the military or the intelligence community, released the message in a video. The Trump administration sharply criticized the effort.
Six lawmakers, who all served in the military or the intelligence community, released the message in a video. The Trump administration sharply criticized the effort.
Anmelden
