The FBI has requested interviews with six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a social media video urging members of the United States military to “defy illegal orders”, according to the legislators.The statements on Tuesday came a day after the Pentagon said it was reviewing Senator Mark Kelly, a US Navy veteran and one of the six lawmakers, over potential violations of military law.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listPresident Donald Trump has previously accused the lawmakers of sedition and said in a social media post that the crime is “punishable by DEATH”.All six of the Democratic lawmakers in the video have served in the military or the intelligence community.Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, one of the six in the video, told reporters on Tuesday that “the counterterrorism division at the FBI sent a note to the members of Congress, saying they are opening what appears to be an inquiry against the six of us”.Slotkin called it a “scare tactic” by Trump.“Whether you agree with the video or don’t agree with the video, the question to me is: Is this the appropriate response for a president of the United States to go after and seek to weaponise the federal government against those he disagrees with?” said Slotkin.‘Intimidation, harassment’The lawmakers said their video statements accurately reflected US law. American troops swear an oath to the US Constitution, not the president, and under military rules must follow “any lawful general order or regulation”.The other Democrats who appeared in the video that was released last week include US Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, all military veterans. Advertisement “President Trump is using the FBI as a to …
