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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed outrage after former President Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and stated they should be detained and punished "by death" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Message That Provoked the Debate

The recorded message, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic elected officials who previously acted in military or defense positions.

"Like us, you all made an vow to safeguard and uphold this constitution," the officials stated in the short video. "And right now, the risks to our governing document are not only from abroad, but from within our own country. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can decline illegal orders, you can decline illegal orders, you have to decline illegal orders. No one has to carry out commands that break the statutes or our constitution."

Trump's Incensed Response

The clip appeared to trigger a furious reaction from the former president.

On the following morning, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate post, he stated: "This constitutes really bad, and Dangerous to our United States. Their comments cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third post, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Representatives React

Following Trump's remarks on that day, Democratic leadership released a combined declaration censuring the comments.

"Violent politics has no position in America," they stated. "Congress members who were featured in the video all served our nation with great loyalty and honor. We clearly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and harmful death threats against elected officials, and appeal to House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in touch with protective services "to make certain the security of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these radical social media posts and recant his violent language before he causes harm," the announcement continued.

Officials' Firm Response

The officials who were featured in the video also released a response.

"We serve as former service members and security experts who care for this nation and took an vow to safeguard and support the national charter of the United States," they stated. "Our pledge is permanent, and we intend to maintain it. No intimidation, pressure, or incitement will stop us from that important responsibility."

"The significant point is that the former president deems it liable to punishment by execution for us to reiterate the statutes," they stated. "Military personnel should recognize that we have their protection as they carry out their vow to the constitution and obligation to obey only proper directives. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "Every American must come together and censure the president's demands for our execution and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity."

Further Partisan Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's comments and posted on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is requesting the death of public representatives."

He added: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should condemn this right away and without qualification."

The GOP leader justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", adding: "It is very risky, you have important representatives of the legislature advising military personnel to disobey orders, I think that represents without precedent in the nation's past."

The GOP official also reportedly told media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the offense of sedition" but that "attorneys have to analyze the wording and determine all that."

White House Statement

During a White House press conference on later that day, when questioned by a journalist, "Does the president want to put to death congressional representatives?", the administration spokesperson answered: "No."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the official stated. "We see sitting members of the American legislature who coordinated to arrange a video message to personnel of the national defense, to active duty service members advising them to ignore the executive's legal commands."

She said: "The integrity of our defense system relies on the command structure, and if that chain of command is broken, it can cause fatalities, it can result in chaos, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are basically supporting."