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A collection of Democratic politicians labeled by Donald Trump as involved in “seditious behavior” have asserted that the president is employing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against them as a “instrument to pressure and threaten congressional representatives.”

The four politicians, along with two additional members, had created a video urging American troops to resist unlawful orders – a message that angered Trump, who posted on social media that the individuals were “disloyal citizens” and thus could be jailed or even be subject to capital punishment.

A statement, issued by US representatives Jason Crow, the Pennsylvania representatives, and Maggie Goodlander, confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had contacted the House and Senate sergeants at arms seeking interviews with them.

“No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and upholding the Constitution,” they stated, adding that they had each sworn an oath “to uphold and protect” the US constitution.

“That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never give up the ship,” they added.

The statement intensifies a dispute between the Trump administration and Democrats, such as the senator from Arizona and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and the Michigan representative Representative Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “refuse illegal orders.”

Slotkin said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had notified the group that “they are opening what seems like an inquiry targeting the six individuals” and characterized the action as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.

“Frankly, the leader’s response and the deployment of the FBI to target us is precisely the reason we made the video,” she explained.

“He supports utilizing the federal government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s not afraid to use the government agencies to target dissenters. He fails to accept the rules govern his actions … which is exactly why we produced the recording, to offer reassurance that they weren’t alone as they observe these events develop.”

The US Department of Defense has also said it is conducting a review of claims of improper behavior involving the senator that could, it said, result in him being recalled to active duty to undergo a military trial.