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Democratic officials demonstrated outrage after Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic representatives of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be detained and penalized "with execution" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Message That Triggered the Dispute

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic elected officials who formerly worked in armed forces or intelligence capacities.

"As we did, you all swore an vow to protect and support this national charter," the officials declared in the 90-second video. "And right now, the risks to our constitution aren't just from abroad, but from within our own country. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can refuse unlawful commands, you must reject illegal orders. No one has to follow orders that violate the statutes or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Furious Reaction

The clip appeared to provoke a angry reply from the former president.

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

In another message, he wrote: "This is really bad, and Harmful to our Nation. Their comments cannot be permitted to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional message, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Representatives Respond

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader released a combined declaration denouncing the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no role in the United States," they declared. "Congress members who appeared in the video all worked our nation with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We strongly censure Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous calls for execution against congressional representatives, and appeal to House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in communication with protective services "to guarantee the security of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these extreme digital publications and retract his violent rhetoric before he causes harm," the declaration stated.

Lawmakers' Defiant Response

The lawmakers who participated in the video also released a statement.

"We identify as veterans and defense specialists who value this United States and took an pledge to protect and defend the constitution of the United States," they declared. "This commitment lasts a lifetime, and we aim to maintain it. No warning, intimidation, or incitement will deter us from that fundamental obligation."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president deems it subject to penalty by death for us to reiterate the law," they stated. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their protection as they carry out their pledge to the constitution and obligation to obey only proper directives. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "Every American must join forces and condemn the former president's demands for our murder and political violence. This is a time for principled stance."

Further Governmental Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's comments and posted on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is requesting the execution of government members."

He added: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and without qualification."

The GOP leader supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "This represents very harmful, you have leading members of Congress instructing soldiers to disobey orders, I think that is without precedent in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also reportedly informed the press that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "explaining the violation of treason" but that "legal experts have to examine the wording and determine all that."

Administration Reaction

During a administration briefing on that day, when questioned by a media member, "Is the president want to put to death elected officials?", the administration spokesperson replied: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the representative declared. "You have sitting members of the US Congress who coordinated to organize a digital communication to members of the national defense, to active duty service members encouraging them to defy the executive's lawful orders."

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