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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after the ex-president accused a group of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "with execution" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Content That Sparked the Debate

The clip, released on earlier this week, includes six Democratic congress members who formerly worked in military or defense roles.

"Like us, you all made an pledge to safeguard and defend this constitution," the representatives stated in the brief video. "Currently, the dangers to our constitution don't only come from overseas, but from domestically. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject unlawful commands, you should refuse illegal orders. No one has to follow commands that contravene the legal system or our national charter."

Trump's Angry Reaction

The clip reportedly prompt a heated reply from the previous commander-in-chief.

On later in the week, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another message, he wrote: "This represents really bad, and Risky to our Nation. Their statements cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Opposition Leaders Respond

Following Trump's statements on that day, House Democratic leader released a unified announcement denouncing the comments.

"Partisan aggression has no role in the United States," they stated. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all acted our nation with great patriotism and excellence. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and risky calls for execution against members of Congress, and urge Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in communication with security officials "to guarantee the protection of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these unhinged online messages and withdraw his dangerous discourse before he leads to violence," the statement stated.

Officials' Defiant Response

The officials who were featured in the video also issued a declaration.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and national security professionals who value this nation and made an pledge to defend and defend the founding document of the United States," they declared. "This commitment is permanent, and we intend to honor it. No intimidation, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that sacred obligation."

"The significant point is that the president views it subject to penalty by execution for us to repeat the law," they continued. "Our service members should recognize that we have their backs as they fulfill their pledge to the constitution and duty to obey only legal commands. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "Every American must join forces and censure the president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a moment for ethical certainty."

Further Political Comments

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's comments and shared on online networks: "It's important to understand: the President of the United States is requesting the execution of public representatives."

He added: "This is an clear THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, the entire nation – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and unconditionally."

The GOP leader justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This constitutes very risky, you have prominent officials of the legislature instructing military personnel to defy commands, I think that is unprecedented in US history."

The GOP official also according to sources told journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the offense of sedition" but that "lawyers have to parse the wording and decide all that."

Administration Response

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a journalist, "Would the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson answered: "Certainly not."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the representative stated. "You have active officials of the federal government who coordinated to orchestrate a digital communication to individuals of the national defense, to active duty service members encouraging them to ignore the president's proper directives."

She added: "The sanctity of our armed forces relies on the command structure, and if that structure is compromised, it can result in casualties, it can cause confusion, and precisely what these elected officials ... are basically encouraging."