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Democratic legislators who encouraged American military personnel to disobey unlawful orders are now reacting to what they describe as a federal inquiry into their actions.

Notification of Investigation

Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan announced that the FBI on Monday notified the half-dozen congressional members who were featured in recent recording about the examination.

"No amount of pressure or harassment will ever prevent us from performing our duties and upholding our Constitution," four US House members declared.

Executive Response

Their statement to troops prompted US President Trump to accuse the Democratic lawmakers of "treasonous conduct, carrying capital punishment" and initiated a Pentagon review of "serious allegations of misconduct" against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of the state of Arizona, who likewise appeared in the recording.

The Justice Department refused to provide statement on the reported investigation.

Recording Details

The recording by Democrats, all of whom have worked in the armed forces or intelligence community, was shared last week by the Michigan senator and features Kelly and US Representatives Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan and Jason Crow.

The communication emerged amid increasing friction between the current administration and the government of Venezuela, as well as Democratic-controlled municipalities resisting Trump's sending of state military forces to the area.

FBI Involvement

Slotkin said on the following day that the FBI's national security division sent a notification to the Congress members to notify them of an alleged investigation into the lawmakers.

"The President's response and the deployment of the FBI against us is exactly why we created the video," she said at an event in her home state.

"He believes in using the federal government against his perceived opponents, and he's not hesitant to use the arms of the administration against people he disagrees with," she commented, characterizing Trump's actions as "a scare tactic."

Congressional Reaction

Similarly, Congress members Deluzio, Goodlander, Houlahan and Crow said that the President is employing the Federal Bureau as "tool to intimidate and harass" legislators, confirming that the Federal Bureau contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms to arrange interviews.

"We took an pledge to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States. That commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship," they declared.

Presidential Response

The recording - in which Kelly alleged the administration of "pitting our armed forces and security personnel against the American people" - drew the President's anger and he suggested on online platforms that they be arrested, locked up and executed.

His words drew cross-party condemnation and the chief executive eventually walked back his remarks in a TV interview, explaining that he was "not threatening death."

Pentagon Action

On Monday, the Pentagon accused the Arizona legislator, a previous captain in the US Navy and astronaut, of violating military law. The defence department announced it would perform a review to determine whether the Arizona lawmaker should be recalled to military service to face court-martial proceedings.

Even though Kelly left from the armed forces, he is still bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice - a federal law established by Congress in 1951 that subjects personnel of the military to a unique system of rules.

Military Secretary Statement

Defence secretary Pete Hegseth accused Kelly of violating the military code and of using his rank and military background as a way to provide "the impression of legitimacy to his statements" in the recording.

He continued that the senator's behavior "casts doubt upon the armed forces and will be handled appropriately."

Senator Response

But Kelly likewise responded, saying that he has "devoted significant service to this nation to be intimidated by bullies who prioritize their own power than protecting the Constitution."

Accounts suggested on the following day that the Federal Bureau and Justice Department reached out to Congressional security to arrange meetings with the half-dozen members of Congress.

The FBI refused to provide statement on Tuesday when contacted by media outlets.