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Democratic officials expressed outrage after former President Donald Trump alleged a group of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and declared they should be arrested and punished "through capital punishment" following their release of a controversial video.

The Content That Sparked the Dispute

The clip, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic congress members who previously acted in military or defense capacities.

"As we did, you all took an pledge to safeguard and uphold this national charter," the representatives stated in the short video. "And right now, the dangers to our constitution aren't just from overseas, but from right here at home. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can refuse improper directives, you have to reject unlawful commands. No one has to follow directives that violate the law or our founding principles."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The clip seemed to prompt a angry reply from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump published on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional post, he stated: "This is really bad, and Risky to our Nation. Their statements cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Leaders Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a unified statement censuring the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no place in the United States," they stated. "Representatives who were featured in the video all acted our United States with tremendous loyalty and distinction. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and risky threats of violence against members of Congress, and appeal to House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The Democratic leaders also mentioned that they had been in communication with security officials "to ensure the safety of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must without delay remove these radical online messages and retract his violent language before he leads to violence," the declaration added.

Officials' Firm Reaction

The lawmakers who were featured in the video also issued a response.

"We identify as veterans and national security professionals who value this nation and made an oath to defend and uphold the founding document of the United States," they said. "This commitment continues forever, and we aim to maintain it. No warning, coercion, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred duty."

"The significant point is that the president considers it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Our service members should understand that we have their support as they carry out their oath to the founding principles and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "All citizens must unite and condemn the president's calls for our murder and ideological conflict. This is a period for ethical certainty."

Additional Governmental Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's statements and published on digital platforms: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is requesting the capital punishment of elected officials."

He stated: "This is an outright THREAT. All senators, each house member, every American – regardless of party – should condemn this immediately and without qualification."

The Conservative official defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "treason", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "This represents very risky, you have important representatives of the government advising military personnel to disobey orders, I think that is without precedent in American history."

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

Administration Statement

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Does the president want to put to death elected officials?", the administration spokesperson replied: "Certainly not."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the representative stated. "There are sitting members of the US Congress who worked together to organize a video message to individuals of the American armed forces, to serving soldiers urging them to defy the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She added: "The integrity of our defense system depends on the command structure, and if that structure is violated, it can lead to casualties, it can cause chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally supporting."