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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed anger after former President Donald Trump alleged a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and stated they should be arrested and penalized "through capital punishment" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Content That Sparked the Controversy

The recorded message, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic lawmakers who formerly acted in armed forces or security roles.

"Similar to us, you all took an pledge to protect and support this founding document," the lawmakers stated in the brief video. "At present, the threats to our governing document don't only come from overseas, but from within our own country. Our laws are explicit, you can decline unlawful commands, you can decline unlawful commands, you must decline improper directives. No one has to follow orders that violate the legal system or our national charter."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The recorded statement appeared to provoke a heated reaction from the former president.

On later in the week, Trump wrote on his social media 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 publication, he stated: "This constitutes really concerning, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their comments cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional post, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also shared a statement that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Leaders Answer

Following Trump's remarks on that day, House Democratic leader published a combined announcement denouncing the remarks.

"Violent politics has no place in America," they stated. "Congress members who were featured in the video all served our United States with great patriotism and honor. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's offensive and harmful threats of violence against elected officials, and call on Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in contact with security officials "to ensure the security of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these unhinged online messages and recant his aggressive language before he gets someone killed," the announcement stated.

Lawmakers' Firm Answer

The representatives who appeared in the video also released a response.

"We identify as veterans and national security professionals who value this country and took an vow to safeguard and support the founding document of the United States," they said. "That oath continues forever, and we intend to maintain it. No intimidation, pressure, or call for violence will prevent us from that important responsibility."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president considers it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to repeat the statutes," they continued. "Our service members should recognize that we have their support as they execute their vow to the national charter and duty to obey only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They stated: "Every American must unite and condemn the former president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a time for ethical certainty."

Further Governmental Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's comments and published on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is requesting the execution of public representatives."

He continued: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this without delay and unconditionally."

The Conservative official supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", labeling the video as "extremely improper", stating: "This represents very risky, you have leading members of the legislature advising military personnel to defy commands, I think that is historic in US history."

The GOP official also allegedly stated to journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the offense of sedition" but that "lawyers have to parse the language and establish all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a media member, "Would the president want to put to death elected officials?", the White House press secretary answered: "No."

"It's important to note about what the former president is addressing," the representative stated. "There are active officials of the US Congress who worked together to arrange a recorded statement to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel advising them to disobey the commander in chief's legal commands."

She stated: "The purity of our armed forces depends on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is compromised, it can lead to fatalities, it can lead to disorder, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally promoting."