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Democratic officials expressed fury after Donald Trump accused a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "turncoats" and declared they should be arrested and sentenced "with execution" following their release of a controversial video.

The Message That Sparked the Controversy

The recorded message, shared on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who previously acted in armed forces or security capacities.

"As we did, you all took an vow to protect and defend this national charter," the officials affirmed in the short video. "At present, the risks to our constitution are not only from overseas, but from domestically. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can decline unlawful commands, you can refuse improper directives, you should reject improper directives. No one has to carry out orders that contravene the legal system or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Furious Reaction

The recorded statement appeared to prompt a angry reply from the former president.

On the following morning, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional post, he wrote: "This constitutes really bad, and Risky to our Country. Their comments cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional publication, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Representatives Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, Democratic leadership issued a combined statement condemning the comments.

"Partisan aggression has no role in America," they stated. "Elected officials who participated in the video all acted our country with tremendous national pride and honor. We clearly censure Donald Trump's appalling and dangerous death threats against elected officials, and urge House Republicans to forcefully do the same."

The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in contact with law enforcement "to ensure the security of these members and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these radical digital publications and retract his aggressive language before he leads to violence," the announcement added.

Lawmakers' Strong Response

The representatives who were featured in the video also issued a declaration.

"We are former service members and national security professionals who love this United States and swore an oath to safeguard and uphold the founding document of the United States," they stated. "This commitment is permanent, and we plan to keep it. No intimidation, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that fundamental responsibility."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president views it subject to penalty by execution for us to reiterate the law," they added. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their support as they execute their pledge to the constitution and duty to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "Every American must come together and censure the president's requests for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a moment for moral clarity."

Further Partisan Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's comments and shared on social media: "It's important to understand: the President of the United States is calling for the capital punishment of government members."

He continued: "This is an direct THREAT. All senators, each house member, all citizens – regardless of party – should censure this without delay and without qualification."

The GOP leader defended Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "This constitutes very harmful, you have prominent officials of the legislature advising military personnel to ignore directives, I think that's historic in the nation's past."

The Conservative representative also allegedly stated to journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the violation of sedition" but that "legal experts have to analyze the wording and establish all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a journalist, "Is the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the executive branch representative responded: "No."

"It's important to note about what the president is responding to," the spokesperson stated. "We see sitting members of the American legislature who conspired to arrange a video message to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel urging them to defy the commander in chief's legal commands."

She added: "The integrity of our military relies on the command structure, and if that chain of command is violated, it can cause fatalities, it can lead to confusion, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are essentially promoting."