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Democratic officials voiced fury after the ex-president alleged a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and declared they should be taken into custody and penalized "with execution" following their posting of a controversial video.

The Message That Provoked the Debate

The recorded message, shared on earlier this week, includes six Democratic lawmakers who previously served in military or security roles.

"Like us, you all took an vow to protect and uphold this national charter," the officials stated in the 90-second video. "And right now, the threats to our constitution are not only from overseas, but from domestically. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can decline illegal orders, you can decline unlawful commands, you should refuse unlawful commands. No one has to follow orders that contravene the law or our founding principles."

The Former President's Furious Reaction

The clip seemed to prompt a angry response from the former president.

On later in the week, Trump wrote on his social media platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate message, he wrote: "This constitutes really bad, and Harmful to our Country. Their words cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders React

Following Trump's comments on that day, Democratic leadership published a combined announcement denouncing the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no position in this nation," they declared. "Representatives who were featured in the video all worked our nation with tremendous loyalty and honor. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's appalling and dangerous death threats against elected officials, and appeal to GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in contact with protective services "to ensure the safety of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these radical social media posts and retract his violent rhetoric before he leads to violence," the announcement stated.

Officials' Strong Reaction

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

"We are veterans and national security professionals who love this nation and swore an oath to protect and support the national charter of the United States," they said. "That oath continues forever, and we intend to keep it. No warning, pressure, or call for violence will deter us from that important obligation."

"The significant point is that the ex-president considers it subject to penalty by execution for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they fulfill their vow to the national charter and duty to follow only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "The entire nation must unite and censure the president's requests for our death and partisan aggression. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Political Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's statements and published on social media: "It's important to understand: the President of the United States is calling for the capital punishment of elected officials."

He added: "This represents an clear THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should censure this without delay and unconditionally."

The Conservative official supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "It is very harmful, you have leading members of the government advising soldiers to defy commands, I think that represents historic in American history."

The Conservative representative also allegedly informed journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the violation of treason" but that "lawyers have to analyze the language and decide all that."

Administration Response

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Is the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary responded: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the spokesperson stated. "We see active officials of the US Congress who conspired to organize a video message to members of the American armed forces, to serving soldiers encouraging them to ignore the executive's proper directives."

She added: "The integrity of our defense system rests on the hierarchy, and if that structure is broken, it can cause people getting killed, it can cause chaos, and that's what these members of Congress ... are basically promoting."