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Democratic officials demonstrated outrage after the ex-president charged a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be arrested and punished "by death" following their release of a contentious video.

The Recording That Triggered the Controversy

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, features six Democratic elected officials who in the past acted in defense or intelligence roles.

"Similar to us, you all made an pledge to protect and support this constitution," the representatives declared in the brief video. "At present, the threats to our constitution aren't just from abroad, but from domestically. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject improper directives, you should decline illegal orders. No one has to carry out commands that break the law or our founding principles."

The Former President's Incensed Response

The recorded statement seemed to prompt a angry reaction from the ex-president.

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

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

In a additional message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders Respond

Following Trump's statements on that day, Top Democrats issued a combined declaration denouncing the comments.

"Partisan aggression has no position in America," they wrote. "Elected officials who participated in the video all acted our country with exceptional patriotism and excellence. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous threats of violence against congressional representatives, and call on House Republicans to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in contact with law enforcement "to ensure the security of these officials and their families."

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these radical digital publications and recant his aggressive language before he leads to violence," the statement continued.

Officials' Firm Reaction

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

"We are ex-military personnel and security experts who value this nation and swore an vow to safeguard and support the constitution of the United States," they stated. "This commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. No intimidation, pressure, or call for violence will prevent us from that important duty."

"The significant point is that the former president deems it punishable by capital punishment for us to restate the statutes," they added. "Military personnel should know that we have their protection as they carry out their pledge to the national charter and obligation to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "The entire nation must unite and condemn the ex-president's demands for our death and partisan aggression. This is a time for moral clarity."

Further Political Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's comments and shared on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the capital punishment of government members."

He added: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. All senators, every Representative, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this immediately and absolutely."

The GOP leader defended Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "This constitutes very risky, you have important representatives of Congress advising military personnel to disobey orders, I think that is without precedent in US history."

The Conservative representative also reportedly informed the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "defining the offense of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to examine the language and establish all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a reporter, "Does the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson responded: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the former president is addressing," the representative said. "You have current representatives of the American legislature who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel encouraging them to disobey the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She stated: "The purity of our military relies on the command structure, and if that system is violated, it can result in fatalities, it can lead to confusion, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally encouraging."