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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced outrage after Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "by death" following their posting of a controversial video.

The Message That Provoked the Controversy

The video footage, published on Tuesday, features six Democratic elected officials who in the past served in defense or intelligence capacities.

"Like us, you all swore an vow to defend and uphold this national charter," the lawmakers stated in the short video. "Currently, the dangers to our governing document aren't just from overseas, but from within our own country. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can reject unlawful commands, you should refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out commands that break the law or our founding principles."

The Former President's Furious Reaction

The recorded statement seemed to trigger a furious reply from the ex-president.

On the following morning, Trump published on his preferred platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional post, he wrote: "This represents really concerning, and Risky to our United States. Their statements cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third message, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders Answer

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

"Partisan aggression has no place in this nation," they wrote. "Representatives who participated in the video all acted our nation with great national pride and distinction. We strongly censure Donald Trump's appalling and risky threats of violence against members of Congress, and urge Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in contact with law enforcement "to make certain the safety of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these radical online messages and recant his dangerous rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the declaration stated.

Officials' Firm Answer

The officials who participated in the video also published a statement.

"We are ex-military personnel and national security professionals who love this United States and made an oath to defend and defend the constitution of the United States," they said. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we aim to keep it. No intimidation, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that fundamental responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president considers it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they stated. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their backs as they carry out their oath to the national charter and duty to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "Every American must join forces and denounce 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 denounced Trump's remarks and posted on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the execution of public representatives."

He stated: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should condemn this right away and unconditionally."

The Conservative official supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "It is very harmful, you have important representatives of the government advising soldiers to disobey orders, I think that's without precedent in American history."

The Republican leader also reportedly stated to the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the violation of sedition" but that "attorneys have to analyze the language and determine all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a reporter, "Is the president want to execute elected officials?", the administration spokesperson replied: "Certainly not."

"We should understand about what the president is responding to," the official stated. "There are active officials of the American legislature who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to individuals of the national defense, to current military personnel advising them to ignore the commander in chief's proper directives."

She said: "The integrity of our military depends on the command structure, and if that structure is violated, it can lead to fatalities, it can lead to chaos, and that is exactly what these elected officials ... are fundamentally supporting."