STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Six Democrats in Congress say the FBI is investigating them. The six made a video reminding members of the military that they can refuse illegal orders. NPR congressional reporter Sam Gringlas reports.
SAM GRINGLAS, BYLINE: The video features six members of Congress, all with military or intelligence backgrounds. The message? Illegal orders can be refused.
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JASON CROW: We know this is hard.
MARK KELLY: And that it's a difficult time to be a public servant.
ELISSA SLOTKIN: But whether you're serving in the CIA...
CROW: The Army...
CHRIS DELUZIO: Our Navy...
CHRISSY HOULAHAN: The Air Force...
KELLY: Your vigilance is critical.
SLOTKIN: And know that we have your back.
GRINGLAS: That was Democratic Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Senators Mark Kelly of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. President Trump called the message treasonous and amplified a social media post suggesting the six members should be hanged. Senator Kelly spoke to All Things Considered.
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KELLY: So we said, follow the law. Donald Trump responded with, kill them.
GRINGLAS: The White House later said the president was not suggesting the six be killed, but several reported receiving death threats and bomb scares. The Pentagon launched an investigation into Kelly, and now the six members say the FBI has requested interviews with all of them. Senator Slotkin spoke to reporters in Michigan on Tuesday.
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SLOTKIN: This is a scare tactic by him. He is attempting to use the FBI to scare us out of continuing to talk.
GRINGLAS: The FBI and the Department of Justice declined to comment. But on Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel told independent journalist Catherine Herridge on her show "Straight To The Point" that he would treat the video like any other potential case.
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KASH PATEL: Is there a lawful predicate to open up an inquiry and investigation, or is there not? And that decision will be made by the career agents and analysts here at the FBI.
GRINGLAS: The members say they're alarmed by moves to strike alleged drug boats and deploy the military in U.S. cities. Representative Deluzio says the ability to refuse illegal orders is a guiding principle for members of the military.
DELUZIO: One that drill instructors teach at boot camp. It's one that I learned as a plebe at the Naval Academy, that JAG attorneys help commanders train their troops on. Is Donald Trump going to go prosecute all of those people? It's outrageous.
GRINGLAS: Deluzio tells NPR he will not agree to an FBI interview and that threats of violence or investigations will not intimidate him from speaking out.
Sam Gringlas, NPR News, Washington. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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