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A collection of Democratic lawmakers branded by the president as engaging in “subversive conduct” have asserted that the US leader is using the FBI to target them as a “instrument to pressure and threaten members of Congress.”

The four politicians, together with two additional members, had created a video urging US military service members to disobey illegal commands – a message that provoked Trump, who wrote on online platforms that the group were “disloyal citizens” and thus could be jailed or even face the death penalty.

A statement, released by congressional lawmakers the Colorado congressman, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and the New Hampshire lawmaker, confirmed that the FBI had reached out to 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 honoring our constitution,” they said, adding that they had each taken a vow “to support and defend” 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 continued.

The statement intensifies a dispute between the president’s team and Democrats, including Arizona senator and ex-astronaut Senator Kelly and Michigan congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, over the video message, which urged the military and intelligence services members to “refuse illegal orders.”

The Michigan lawmaker said the FBI’s counter-terrorism division had informed the lawmakers that “they are initiating what seems like an investigation targeting the six individuals” and described the move as a “intimidation strategy” by Trump.

“To be honest, the president’s reaction and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video,” she explained.

“He supports utilizing the US government against his perceived adversaries, and he’s willing to employ the arms of the government to target dissenters. He fails to accept the law applies to him … which is exactly why we made the video, to give people some assurance that they weren’t alone as they observe these events develop.”

The US Department of Defense has additionally stated it is performing an examination of misconduct allegations involving the senator that might, it indicated, lead to his return to military service to undergo a military trial.