FBI seeks interviews with six Democratic lawmakers over video urging troops to reject illegal orders

ISTANBUL (AA) — The FBI is looking to schedule interviews with six US Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video encouraging military personnel and intelligence officials to refuse illegal orders.

The group includes Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio, Jason Crow, and Maggie Goodlander.

The Trump administration has criticized the video, in which Kelly said, “Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders,” labeling it as “seditious” and a threat to presidential authority.

In a joint statement on X, Crow, speaking for Deluzio, Goodlander, and Houlahan, accused President Trump of “using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.”

The lawmakers said the bureau contacted the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms about the interviews. “No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship,” the statement said.

Slotkin also commented on X, saying the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division “appeared to open an inquiry” into her because of a video “President Trump did not like.” She added that Trump “believes in weaponizing the federal government” against perceived enemies and “does not believe laws apply to him or his Cabinet.”

The Pentagon said Monday it is reviewing “serious allegations of misconduct” against Kelly. Last week, Trump publicly accused the group — composed largely of military and intelligence veterans — of being “traitors.”