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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed anger after Donald Trump accused a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be detained and punished "with execution" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Content That Sparked the Dispute

The recorded message, published on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic elected officials who formerly worked in armed forces or defense roles.

"Like us, you all swore an pledge to defend and support this founding document," the lawmakers declared in the 90-second video. "At present, the threats to our democratic foundation are not only from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are unambiguous, you can reject illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you have to decline unlawful commands. No one has to execute commands that contravene the law or our founding principles."

The Former President's Furious Reaction

The clip seemed to prompt a furious reaction from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump posted on his preferred platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another post, he declared: "This is really concerning, and Dangerous to our United States. Their statements cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders Respond

Following Trump's comments on that day, House Democratic leader issued a unified announcement censuring the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no position in this nation," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all served our United States with great national pride and distinction. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous threats of violence against congressional representatives, and appeal to GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in communication with security officials "to ensure the safety of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these extreme digital publications and retract his aggressive discourse before he gets someone killed," the declaration stated.

Officials' Defiant Response

The officials who appeared in the video also issued a declaration.

"We are veterans and national security professionals who care for this country and swore an pledge to protect and uphold the national charter of the United States," they stated. "That oath continues forever, and we plan to keep it. No warning, coercion, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that fundamental responsibility."

"The significant point is that the president views it subject to penalty by death for us to reiterate the statutes," they added. "Military personnel should understand that we have their protection as they execute their oath to the constitution and duty to follow only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "All citizens must join forces and denounce the former president's calls for our death and political violence. This is a moment for moral clarity."

Additional Political Comments

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's remarks and posted on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is demanding the capital punishment of public representatives."

He added: "This is an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should condemn this without delay and unconditionally."

The GOP leader justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "This represents very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress telling troops to defy commands, I think that represents historic in American history."

The Republican leader also allegedly told journalists that in what he read of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the crime of treason" but that "lawyers have to parse the language and establish all that."

White House Reaction

During a White House press conference on that day, when inquired by a media member, "Does the president want to kill elected officials?", the administration spokesperson answered: "No."

"We should understand about what the former president is reacting to," the official stated. "You have active officials of the federal government who coordinated to organize a recorded statement to members of the US military, to serving soldiers encouraging them to defy the commander in chief's legal commands."

She added: "The integrity of our armed forces relies on the hierarchy, and if that structure is broken, it can result in casualties, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally encouraging."