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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated anger after Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and declared they should be detained and penalized "by death" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Recording That Sparked the Dispute

The clip, released on earlier this week, includes six Democratic elected officials who previously worked in defense or security roles.

"As we did, you all swore an oath to protect and uphold this national charter," the lawmakers affirmed in the 90-second video. "And right now, the risks to our constitution aren't just from overseas, but from right here at home. Our laws are unambiguous, you can reject improper directives, you can decline unlawful commands, you should refuse unlawful commands. No one has to carry out commands that break the law or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Furious Response

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

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

In a separate message, he declared: "This constitutes really concerning, and Harmful to our Country. Their comments cannot be permitted to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Opposition Officials React

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a combined declaration denouncing the comments.

"Political violence has no role in the United States," they declared. "Congress members who were featured in the video all worked our country with exceptional patriotism and excellence. We strongly censure Donald Trump's offensive and harmful calls for execution against elected officials, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

The Democratic leaders also mentioned that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to ensure the security of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these radical social media posts and retract his aggressive language before he causes harm," the announcement added.

Representatives' Firm Answer

The officials who were featured in the video also released a statement.

"We serve as veterans and national security professionals who care for this country and swore an vow to protect and uphold the constitution of the United States," they said. "That oath is permanent, and we intend to maintain it. No warning, intimidation, or call for violence will stop us from that sacred responsibility."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president considers it subject to penalty by death for us to repeat the legal requirements," they added. "Military personnel should understand that we have their protection as they fulfill their vow to the constitution and obligation to adhere to only proper directives. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "All citizens must join forces and condemn the former president's demands for our execution and political violence. This is a moment for ethical certainty."

Additional Governmental Comments

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's statements and posted on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is requesting the death of public representatives."

He stated: "This represents an direct THREAT. All senators, every Representative, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should censure this without delay and absolutely."

The GOP leader justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "treason", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "It is very risky, you have important representatives of the legislature advising military personnel to ignore directives, I think that represents without precedent in American history."

The GOP official also reportedly stated to media outlets that in what he read of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the crime of sedition" but that "lawyers have to parse the wording and establish all that."

White House Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a reporter, "Does the president want to execute congressional representatives?", the executive branch representative responded: "Certainly not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is addressing," the official said. "There are current representatives of the US Congress who conspired to arrange a digital communication to individuals of the US military, to serving soldiers urging them to defy the president's legal commands."

She added: "The sanctity of our armed forces depends on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can result in chaos, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are basically encouraging."