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Democratic officials demonstrated outrage after former President Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and declared they should be detained and sentenced "by death" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Message That Triggered the Controversy

The clip, published on earlier this week, features six Democratic elected officials who previously worked in defense or defense positions.

"As we did, you all made an oath to safeguard and support this founding document," the lawmakers affirmed in the brief video. "Currently, the threats to our democratic foundation are not only from abroad, but from within our own country. Our regulations are clear, you can refuse illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you have to decline improper directives. No one has to execute directives that contravene the legal system or our founding principles."

Trump's Angry Response

The video message appeared to trigger a furious reaction from the former president.

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

In an additional message, he wrote: "This is really serious, and Harmful to our Country. Their words cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Representatives Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, Democratic leadership released a combined announcement condemning the comments.

"Violent politics has no place in this nation," they declared. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all worked our country with exceptional national pride and distinction. We strongly censure Donald Trump's appalling and harmful calls for execution against congressional representatives, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in communication with law enforcement "to guarantee the security of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these extreme online messages and recant his dangerous rhetoric before he leads to violence," the announcement continued.

Lawmakers' Firm Reaction

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

"We are former service members and security experts who love this country and swore an vow to protect and defend the constitution of the United States," they stated. "That oath continues forever, and we plan to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or incitement will prevent us from that fundamental duty."

"The significant point is that the ex-president considers it punishable by capital punishment for us to reiterate the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they execute their pledge to the constitution and duty to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."

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

More Partisan Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also denounced Trump's comments and posted on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is calling for the death of elected officials."

He continued: "This is an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should condemn this without delay and absolutely."

The GOP leader justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", adding: "This represents very harmful, you have prominent officials of Congress telling soldiers to ignore directives, I think that represents unprecedented in US history."

The GOP official also reportedly stated to media outlets that in what he read of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the offense of treason" but that "legal experts have to analyze the language and decide all that."

Executive Branch Statement

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when inquired by a media member, "Is the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the executive branch representative replied: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is reacting to," the spokesperson said. "There are current representatives of the American legislature who coordinated to orchestrate a recorded statement to individuals of the US military, to serving soldiers advising them to disobey the president's lawful orders."

She said: "The integrity of our military rests on the command structure, and if that chain of command is compromised, it can result in fatalities, it can lead to disorder, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are basically encouraging."