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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced fury after former President Donald Trump charged a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be detained and sentenced "by death" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Recording That Triggered the Controversy

The recorded message, released on earlier this week, includes six Democratic congress members who in the past acted in military or security roles.

"Similar to us, you all swore an oath to safeguard and support this national charter," the officials stated in the brief video. "At present, the risks to our constitution aren't just from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can reject illegal orders, you must reject improper directives. No one has to execute commands that violate the law or our national charter."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The recorded statement reportedly provoke a furious response from the former president.

On later in the week, Trump published on his social media platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another message, he declared: "This is really bad, and Harmful to our Nation. Their comments cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Opposition Officials React

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

"Political violence has no place in the United States," they declared. "Congress members who appeared in the video all served our United States with exceptional patriotism and honor. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful calls for execution against elected officials, and urge Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in contact with security officials "to ensure the security of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent discourse before he causes harm," the statement added.

Lawmakers' Firm Reaction

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

"We serve as veterans and national security professionals who love this United States and swore an oath to protect and uphold the national charter of the United States," they said. "This commitment is permanent, and we aim to maintain it. No warning, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that sacred responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the former president deems it liable to punishment by execution for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their backs as they carry out their pledge to the constitution and responsibility to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They stated: "All citizens must join forces and censure the former president's calls for our murder and political violence. This is a period for moral clarity."

Further Governmental Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's comments and shared on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is demanding the death of government members."

He stated: "This is an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should censure this without delay and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker defended Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "treason", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "This represents very dangerous, you have important representatives of the legislature telling military personnel to disobey orders, I think that is historic in the nation's past."

The GOP official also allegedly told the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the offense of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to analyze the terminology and determine all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when inquired by a journalist, "Would the president want to kill elected officials?", the administration spokesperson responded: "No."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the spokesperson stated. "There are active officials of the American legislature who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to members of the national defense, to current military personnel encouraging them to disobey the executive's lawful orders."

She added: "The integrity of our armed forces relies on the chain of command, and if that structure is violated, it can result in people getting killed, it can lead to chaos, and that's what these members of Congress ... are essentially supporting."