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Democratic officials demonstrated fury after Donald Trump charged a coalition of Democratic legislators of being "betrayers" and stated they should be detained and punished "through capital punishment" following their release of a controversial video.

The Message That Provoked the Debate

The clip, released on Tuesday, includes six Democratic elected officials who in the past served in armed forces or defense positions.

"As we did, you all took an oath to safeguard and uphold this founding document," the officials stated in the short video. "And right now, the dangers to our democratic foundation don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can decline improper directives, you can reject unlawful commands, you should decline unlawful commands. No one has to carry out orders that contravene the legal system or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Furious Response

The recorded statement appeared to trigger a heated reaction from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate publication, he stated: "This constitutes really bad, and Risky to our Country. Their comments cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also redistributed a comment that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Officials Respond

Following Trump's remarks on that day, House Democratic leader published a joint declaration denouncing the comments.

"Violent politics has no role in America," they wrote. "Representatives who participated in the video all served our United States with great loyalty and honor. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's offensive and risky calls for execution against members of Congress, and call on House Republicans to strongly do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these radical social media posts and withdraw his dangerous language before he gets someone killed," the statement stated.

Representatives' Firm Response

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

"We are veterans and security experts who care for this country and made an oath to safeguard and defend the constitution of the United States," they said. "That oath is permanent, and we intend to maintain it. No threat, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that important duty."

"The significant point is that the ex-president views it punishable by capital punishment for us to restate the law," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their protection as they carry out their oath to the national charter and obligation to follow only proper directives. 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 calls for our death and ideological conflict. This is a period for principled stance."

Further Partisan Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's comments and published on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is requesting the execution of elected officials."

He continued: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, the entire nation – regardless of party – should denounce this without delay and unconditionally."

The Conservative official defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "treason", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "It is very dangerous, you have important representatives of Congress advising soldiers to defy commands, I think that is without precedent in US history."

The Conservative representative also reportedly stated to media outlets that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the crime of treason" but that "attorneys have to examine the wording and determine all that."

White House Response

During a administration briefing on later that day, when inquired by a media member, "Would the president want to execute elected officials?", the White House press secretary responded: "Certainly not."

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the spokesperson declared. "We see sitting members of the American legislature who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to members of the US military, to serving soldiers encouraging them to defy the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She said: "The purity of our military relies on the command structure, and if that chain of command is violated, it can cause casualties, it can cause confusion, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are essentially supporting."