WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - The FBI has agreed to help track down Democratic Texas lawmakers who fled their state to thwart Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts, Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn said on Thursday, but it was unclear whether federal agents would take action.

Texas Democrats who fled the state to postpone a GOP redistricting plan are blasting the recent involvement of the FBI to “hunt us down,” accusing Republicans of amping up rhetoric and putting a “dangerous target” on their backs.

Michael McAuliffe, former prosecutor and former state attorney, told Newsweek the FBI's involvement is "well beyond alarming."