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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated outrage after the ex-president alleged a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "with execution" following their release of a controversial video.

The Message That Sparked the Controversy

The recorded message, shared on earlier this week, includes six Democratic elected officials who in the past served in armed forces or intelligence capacities.

"Like us, you all took an pledge to protect and support this founding document," the officials declared in the 90-second video. "At present, the threats to our democratic foundation aren't just from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our regulations are explicit, you can decline improper directives, you can reject unlawful commands, you should reject improper directives. No one has to execute commands that contravene the legal system or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Angry Response

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

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

In another post, he wrote: "This constitutes really serious, and Risky to our Country. Their statements cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also reposted a statement that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Leaders Respond

Following Trump's statements on that day, Top Democrats published a unified declaration censuring the remarks.

"Political violence has no place in this nation," they stated. "Representatives who appeared in the video all acted our United States with exceptional loyalty and excellence. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against elected officials, and call on Republican lawmakers to vigorously do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these radical social media posts and recant his dangerous language before he causes harm," the statement added.

Lawmakers' Firm Response

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

"We are ex-military personnel and defense specialists who love this country and swore an vow to safeguard and support the constitution of the United States," they said. "Our pledge is permanent, and we aim to honor it. No threat, coercion, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that important obligation."

"The significant point is that the ex-president deems it punishable by execution for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their protection as they execute their vow to the founding principles and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "The entire nation must join forces and censure the president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a moment for principled stance."

Additional Political Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's statements and published on digital platforms: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the capital punishment of elected officials."

He stated: "This constitutes an clear THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, all citizens – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this right away and without qualification."

The GOP leader supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "This represents very dangerous, you have prominent officials of Congress advising military personnel to disobey orders, I think that represents without precedent in American history."

The Conservative representative also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the violation of treason" but that "attorneys have to examine the terminology and determine all that."

Administration Reaction

During a White House press conference on that day, when questioned by a journalist, "Does the president want to put to death congressional representatives?", the executive branch representative answered: "Certainly not."

"We should understand about what the president is responding to," the representative declared. "We see current representatives of the American legislature who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to personnel of the national defense, to active duty service members encouraging them to defy the president's proper directives."

She stated: "The integrity of our military depends on the command structure, and if that system is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can cause disorder, and precisely what these elected officials ... are basically promoting."