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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced fury after the ex-president charged a group of Democratic representatives of being "turncoats" and stated they should be arrested and sentenced "by death" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Content That Triggered the Dispute

The recorded message, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic elected officials who in the past acted in military or security roles.

"Like us, you all swore an pledge to safeguard and uphold this national charter," the representatives stated in the 90-second video. "Currently, the dangers to our democratic foundation are not only from overseas, but from within our own country. Our regulations are explicit, you can decline improper directives, you can refuse illegal orders, you should reject illegal orders. No one has to follow orders that contravene the legal system or our national charter."

Trump's Incensed Response

The recorded statement appeared to provoke a heated response from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on his social media platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional publication, he declared: "This represents really serious, and Risky to our Country. Their comments cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a statement that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders Answer

Following Trump's statements on that day, Top Democrats released a unified statement condemning the comments.

"Violent politics has no position in America," they wrote. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all served our nation with great national pride and excellence. We strongly censure Donald Trump's appalling and harmful calls for execution against elected officials, and urge Republican lawmakers to vigorously do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in touch with protective services "to guarantee the protection of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these extreme online messages and withdraw his violent language before he causes harm," the declaration stated.

Lawmakers' Defiant Response

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

"We are veterans and defense specialists who value this country and made an oath to safeguard and uphold the national charter of the United States," they declared. "This commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. No threat, pressure, or call for violence will deter us from that fundamental duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president views it liable to punishment by death for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their support as they fulfill their oath to the national charter and obligation to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "The entire nation must unite and condemn the president's calls for our murder and partisan aggression. This is a time for moral clarity."

Additional Political Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also denounced Trump's comments and shared on online networks: "It's important to understand: the former president is calling for the death of government members."

He continued: "This constitutes an clear THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should condemn this immediately and without qualification."

The Conservative official defended Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", labeling the video as "extremely improper", adding: "This represents very risky, you have prominent officials of Congress telling military personnel to ignore directives, I think that's unprecedented in US history."

The Republican leader also allegedly stated to media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the crime of treason" but that "legal experts have to parse the terminology and establish all that."

Administration Statement

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Would the president want to execute congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary responded: "No."

"Let's be clear about what the president is addressing," the representative said. "We see active officials of the federal government who worked together to organize a digital communication to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel advising them to disobey the executive's proper directives."

She said: "The purity of our armed forces relies on the hierarchy, and if that structure is compromised, it can cause people getting killed, it can lead to chaos, and that's what these members of Congress ... are basically encouraging."