Democratic Rep. Jason Crow contacted by Justice Division after video to troops

Washington — Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado has been contacted by the Justice Division a few video he and a gaggle of lawmakers recorded that urged U.S. service members to refuse unlawful orders, marking the newest escalation within the Trump administration’s efforts towards the Democrats.

The U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the District of Columbia, led by Jeanine Pirro, has requested to interview Crow in regards to the video, which was launched in November. Crow appeared within the video alongside 5 different lawmakers, who all have expertise serving within the navy or intelligence group.

“Donald Trump referred to as for my arrest, prosecution, and execution — all as a result of I mentioned one thing he did not like. Now he is pressuring his political appointees to harass me for daring to talk up and maintain him accountable,” Crow mentioned in a press release. “I will not be intimidated and can preserve combating to uphold my oath to the Structure and defend our nation.”

Crow, a former Military Ranger, informed reporters on Capitol Hill that the Trump administration is weaponizing the Justice Division “to attempt to silence their political opponents and suppress dissent.”

“However we’re members of Congress. We are going to do our obligation. We took an oath to this nation to implement the legislation, and that’s precisely what we’re going to do, and we is not going to enable any president to intimidate us and threaten us and dissuade us from performing our obligation and fulfilling our oath,” he mentioned.

The 90-second video was directed at members of the navy and people working within the intelligence group and referred to as on them to “refuse unlawful orders.” President Trump swiftly denounced the lawmakers for the message and accused them of participating in “seditious habits” that’s “punishable by loss of life.” 

The FBI additionally contacted the Home and Senate Sergeant at Arms requesting interviews with Crow and his colleagues on Capitol Hill. The opposite lawmakers who appeared within the video are Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Reps. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania. 

Kelly and Slotkin have additionally come underneath extra scrutiny. Slotkin, who organized the video, mentioned Thursday that Pirro had sought an interview together with her.

“To be clear: that is the president’s playbook. Reality does not matter. Details do not matter. And anybody who disagrees with him turns into an enemy and he then weaponizes the federal authorities towards them,” Slotkin mentioned in a video assertion posted to social media.

The Pentagon individually opened a evaluate of misconduct allegations towards Kelly, and Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth introduced final week that the Protection Division had “initiated retirement grade willpower proceedings” that would end in a “discount in his retired grade” and “a corresponding discount in retired pay.” Hegseth additionally mentioned he issued a proper letter to censure Kelly, alleging “reckless misconduct.”

Kelly filed a civil lawsuit towards Hegseth and the Protection Division on Monday looking for to dam the efforts to downgrade his retirement pay and rank, and accused the Trump administration of retaliating towards him in violation of his First Modification rights.