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A collection of Democratic politicians labeled by the president as engaging in “seditious behavior” have claimed that the president is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to target them as a “tool to intimidate and harass congressional representatives.”

The four politicians, together with two others, had produced a video urging US military service members to resist unlawful orders – a statement that provoked Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus might face imprisonment or even face the death penalty.

An announcement, released by congressional lawmakers Jason Crow, the Pennsylvania representatives, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms requesting interviews with them.

“Regardless of any pressure or threats will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our constitution,” they stated, adding that they had each taken a vow “to uphold and protect” the US constitution.

“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. We will not be bullied. We will not surrender our principles,” they added.

The declaration deepens a dispute between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, including the senator from Arizona and former astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the armed forces and intelligence personnel to “disregard unlawful commands.”

The Michigan lawmaker said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had informed the group that “they are initiating what seems like an inquiry against the six of us” and described the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.

“Frankly, the president’s reaction and the deployment of the FBI to target us is exactly why we created the message,” she said.

“He believes in using the US government to oppose those he views as opponents, and he’s not afraid to use the arms of the government to target dissenters. He does not believe the rules govern his actions … which is exactly why we made the video, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they watch this stuff unfold.”

The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is conducting a review of claims of improper behavior against Kelly that might, it said, lead to his return to military service to face court-martial proceedings.