Rep. Goodlander stood firm against what she described as intimidation tactics from the Trump Department of Justice, declaring that efforts to target her and fellow Democratic representatives over a video concerning "illegal orders" will neither intimidate nor silence them. In a pointed statement, the congresswoman accused the administration of being "hell bent on retribution," emphasizing her unwavering commitment to the Constitution amid the controversy.
Addressing the president's reaction, Goodlander remarked, “You know, the president’s reaction to this, rev, from the very beginning has been shocking that the president was so unglued by a statement, a statement of bedrock principle and a statement of American law, a statement that has been repeated by his own attorney general, by his own secretary of defense.” She highlighted the irony, noting that the very officials in Trump's administration had echoed the same principle she and her colleagues upheld in the video.
The representative expressed dismay at the intensity of the response, stating, “The fact that he’s become so unglued is unfortunately very telling. It’s very sad to me, and I do think that the reaction we’ve seen suggests that this is an administration that is hell bent on retribution and on trying to intimidate me and my colleagues who are a part of this important statement.” Goodlander framed the backlash as an attempt to suppress dissent on a fundamental legal and ethical stance.
Undeterred, she asserted, “He’s trying to intimidate us, to silence us, and it just won’t work because we love this country, we love our constitution, and we will not be deterred in doing our duty.” The video in question appears to feature Democratic representatives, including Goodlander, affirming their refusal to follow illegal orders—a position she described as a "bedrock principle" rooted in American law.
Goodlander invoked her personal oath of office to underscore her resolve, saying, “I’ve sworn an oath to protect and defend our constitution many times in my life, and I’m certainly never going to give up the ship.” Her comments, captured in a rush excerpt from Grabien Stories, signal a broader defiance among the targeted Democrats against perceived overreach by the Trump Justice Department.
The controversy stems from the administration's aggressive response to the video, which Goodlander and her colleagues view as an assault on their constitutional duties. By aligning their stance with statements from Trump's own attorney general and secretary of defense, the representatives position their position not as partisan opposition, but as adherence to established American legal norms.
As the Department of Justice's actions unfold, Goodlander's remarks serve as a rallying cry, reinforcing that such tactics will not quell their voices. The episode highlights ongoing tensions between the administration and congressional Democrats over issues of loyalty, law, and executive power.
