FBI seeks interviews with Democratic lawmakers who urged US troops to defy illegal orders

WASHINGTON AP Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a social media video urging U S troops to defy illegal orders say the FBI has contacted them to begin scheduling interviews signaling a realizable inquiry into the matter It would mark the second probe tied to the video coming a day after the Pentagon mentioned it was reviewing Democratic Sen Mark Kelly of Arizona over promising violations of military law The FBI and Pentagon actions come after President Donald Trump accused the lawmakers of sedition punishable by DEATH in a social media post President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress a group of four Democratic House members mentioned in a report Tuesday The last evening the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews Michigan Sen Elissa Slotkin one of the six Democratic lawmakers in the video described reporters Tuesday that last night 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 She mentioned Trump is attempting to use the FBI to scare us 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 weaponize the federal regime against those he disagrees with announced Slotkin The FBI declined to comment Tuesday but Director Kash Patel in an interview with journalist Catherine Herridge described it as an ongoing matter in explaining why he could not discuss details Solicited for his reaction to the video Patel disclosed What goes through my head is the same thing that goes through my head in any event is there a lawful predicate to open up an inquiry and review or is there not And that decision will be made by the career agents and analysts here at the FBI