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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after the ex-president charged a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and declared they should be detained and sentenced "with execution" following their release of a contentious video.

The Recording That Sparked the Debate

The clip, shared on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic congress members who previously worked in armed forces or intelligence roles.

"Similar to us, you all swore an pledge to safeguard and uphold this national charter," the officials declared in the short video. "And right now, the risks to our constitution don't only come from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our statutes are explicit, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can refuse illegal orders, you have to decline illegal orders. No one has to execute commands that break the law or our founding principles."

Trump's Angry Reaction

The video message reportedly trigger a angry reaction from the former president.

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

In an additional publication, he stated: "This represents really concerning, and Harmful to our Nation. Their statements cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Representatives Answer

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a joint declaration denouncing the remarks.

"Violent politics has no position in America," they declared. "Congress members who participated in the video all worked our country with exceptional loyalty and honor. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and risky threats of violence against elected officials, and call on Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in contact with security officials "to guarantee the security of these officials and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these unhinged digital publications and withdraw his aggressive discourse before he causes harm," the statement continued.

Representatives' Strong Reaction

The representatives who appeared in the video also issued a declaration.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who value this nation and swore an oath to safeguard and uphold the founding document of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we plan to keep it. No warning, pressure, or incitement will deter us from that important duty."

"The significant point is that the president deems it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to repeat the legal requirements," they added. "Our service members should know that we have their support as they carry out their vow to the national charter and duty to follow only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "Every American must come together and censure the ex-president's demands for our murder and ideological conflict. This is a moment for ethical certainty."

More Political Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's statements and shared on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the capital punishment of elected officials."

He added: "This constitutes an clear THREAT. All senators, every Representative, the entire nation – regardless of party – should censure this without delay and unconditionally."

The Republican House speaker defended Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", labeling the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have important representatives of Congress advising military personnel to disobey orders, I think that is without precedent in US history."

The GOP official also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the offense of treason" but that "legal experts have to parse the wording and establish all that."

Administration Response

During a executive branch meeting on that day, when inquired by a journalist, "Would the president want to kill elected officials?", the White House press secretary answered: "No."

"We should understand about what the president is responding to," the official stated. "There are current representatives of the American legislature who coordinated to orchestrate a video message to individuals of the American armed forces, to serving soldiers urging them to defy the president's legal commands."

She stated: "The purity of our military rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can result in people getting killed, it can cause chaos, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally promoting."