Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) just threw a curveball at the FBI by refusing to sit for a voluntary interview over a social media video that’s got the president crying “treason.”
This saga unfolded when Deluzio, alongside five other Democratic lawmakers, posted a video urging military personnel to disregard illegal orders, sparking a firestorm that led to an FBI investigation and accusations from the highest office, as Breitbart reports.
The video, shared on social media, didn’t just ruffle feathers—it set off a full-blown national debate about loyalty and the limits of free speech in Congress.
On Wednesday, during an appearance on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” Deluzio made it crystal clear he’s not playing ball with federal investigators.
He confirmed reports that the FBI has been trying to reach him and his colleagues for voluntary interviews since at least the day before his TV spot.
But instead of rolling out the welcome mat, Deluzio’s slamming the door shut, leaving many to wonder if this is principle or just plain defiance.
The president didn’t mince words, suggesting that Deluzio and his fellow lawmakers could be guilty of treason for their video message to the military.
That’s a heavy charge, one that elevates this from a mere political spat to a potential constitutional crisis, especially with the FBI now poking around.
While the accusation is serious, it’s worth asking if this is a genuine concern for national security or a convenient way to silence critics of the administration.
Deluzio didn’t hold back on CNN, framing the FBI’s outreach as a political stunt rather than a legitimate inquiry.
“Well, that’s been reported now, I think, since yesterday, that the FBI wants to ask and the other members of Congress I served with for voluntary interviews. As I said, when this news broke, it’s a clear attempt to intimidate us as members of Congress, to try to deter us from criticizing the president,” Deluzio told host John Berman.
Intimidation? Perhaps, but one might argue that if you’re going to post a video challenging military obedience, you should at least be ready to answer a few tough questions from the feds.
When pressed further, Deluzio doubled down, stating plainly, “I’m not planning a sit-down for a voluntary interview, no.”
That’s a bold move, especially when the optics already paint him as part of a group under intense scrutiny—some might say it’s a risky hill to die on when the charge of treason is floating around.
While every American has the right to decline a voluntary chat with law enforcement, Deluzio’s stance might strike some as less about principle and more about avoiding accountability in a highly charged political climate.
