I don't quite follow the argument that those are not senior officials (the speaker of the house definitely qualifies as such, being second in line after the VP to be named President). The fact that people in a position like that are making such calls surely carries some weight with other, less senior officials and might sway a bunch of them to agree with it if only to not be seen as weak.
The thousands of voters from American backwaters collectively seem to command a rather large chunk of the legislative power in the USA.
The numbers scale up a bit for Feinstein, who at least holds statewide office, but the end result is no different.
This isn't a fiddly technical point. The separation of powers between the Legislative and Executive branches is fundamental to our system of government. In cases where dingbat representatives try to rabble-rouse for unwarranted treason charges, you can see why the founders were smart to divest the Legislature of the power to enforce the laws they enact.
Remember, many of the noisest and most obnoxious people in Congress were elected by mere thousands of voters from American backwaters.