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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after Donald Trump accused a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be detained and penalized "by death" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Content That Provoked the Debate

The video footage, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic elected officials who previously worked in military or security positions.

"As we did, you all made an vow to protect and uphold this national charter," the officials affirmed in the 90-second video. "At present, the dangers to our governing document are not only from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our statutes are explicit, you can decline improper directives, you can refuse illegal orders, you must reject illegal orders. No one has to execute commands that break the law or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Angry Reply

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

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

In another message, he declared: "This constitutes really concerning, and Harmful to our Country. Their words cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent publication, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Officials React

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a joint statement denouncing the remarks.

"Violent politics has no place in America," they stated. "Congress members who appeared in the video all served our United States with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous threats of violence against members of Congress, and appeal to GOP representatives to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in touch with security officials "to make certain the safety of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these radical online messages and recant his violent rhetoric before he leads to violence," the statement stated.

Lawmakers' Strong Response

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

"We identify as veterans and security experts who care for this country and took an vow to protect and uphold the founding document of the United States," they declared. "This commitment is permanent, and we aim to keep it. No threat, coercion, or incitement will prevent us from that important obligation."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president views it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they stated. "Military personnel should understand that we have their support as they carry out their pledge to the national charter and duty to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "All citizens must unite and censure the ex-president's demands for our execution and partisan aggression. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Political Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also denounced Trump's comments and posted on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the capital punishment of public representatives."

He continued: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. All senators, each house member, every American – regardless of party – should censure this without delay and absolutely."

The Conservative official justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "This constitutes very harmful, you have leading members of Congress instructing troops to disobey orders, I think that represents unprecedented in American history."

The Conservative representative also allegedly stated to media outlets that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the crime of treason" but that "legal experts have to examine the language and decide all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a media member, "Does the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson replied: "No."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the spokesperson declared. "We see sitting members of the American legislature who worked together to organize a video message to personnel of the US military, to active duty service members advising them to ignore the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She added: "The sanctity of our defense system relies on the chain of command, and if that structure is broken, it can lead to fatalities, it can lead to chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally supporting."