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Democratic officials demonstrated outrage after Donald Trump accused a coalition of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "through capital punishment" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Recording That Sparked the Controversy

The recorded message, published on Tuesday, features six Democratic elected officials who in the past worked in military or security roles.

"As we did, you all made an pledge to safeguard and defend this constitution," the officials declared in the short video. "At present, the risks to our constitution don't only come from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are unambiguous, you can decline improper directives, you can refuse illegal orders, you have to refuse improper directives. No one has to follow directives that break the legal system or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Furious Response

The video message appeared to prompt a angry response 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 wrote: "This constitutes really bad, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their comments cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third publication, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Officials React

Following Trump's statements on that day, Democratic leadership issued a joint declaration condemning the comments.

"Partisan aggression has no place in this nation," they stated. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all acted our country with tremendous national pride and excellence. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous death threats against elected officials, and appeal to House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in touch with security officials "to guarantee the safety of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these radical digital publications and withdraw his aggressive discourse before he causes harm," the declaration added.

Lawmakers' Strong Reaction

The representatives who were featured in the video also released a declaration.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who love this nation and made an pledge to protect and uphold the founding document of the United States," they stated. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we plan to keep it. No intimidation, coercion, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that sacred duty."

"What's most telling is that the president considers it punishable by death for us to repeat the law," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they carry out their vow to the constitution and obligation to follow only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They stated: "All citizens must unite and denounce the ex-president's calls for our execution and partisan aggression. This is a period for ethical certainty."

Further Governmental Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's comments and posted on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the death of elected officials."

He continued: "This represents an clear THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should censure this without delay and absolutely."

The GOP leader defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "This constitutes very harmful, you have prominent officials of Congress advising troops to ignore directives, I think that's unprecedented in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also according to sources told the press that in what he read of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the violation of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to analyze the language and decide all that."

White House Statement

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter, "Is the president want to kill members of Congress?", the executive branch representative replied: "No."

"We should understand about what the former president is responding to," the spokesperson said. "There are current representatives of the American legislature who conspired to organize a recorded statement to members of the US military, to serving soldiers urging them to ignore the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She said: "The sanctity of our military rests on the hierarchy, and if that structure is compromised, it can lead to people getting killed, it can result in disorder, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally supporting."