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Democratic officials voiced fury after Donald Trump alleged a group of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and stated they should be detained and punished "by death" following their release of a disputed video.

The Message That Triggered the Debate

The video footage, published on Tuesday, features six Democratic congress members who in the past acted in military or intelligence capacities.

"Like us, you all swore an pledge to protect and defend this founding document," the officials stated in the 90-second video. "And right now, the risks to our democratic foundation aren't just from abroad, but from domestically. Our statutes are explicit, you can reject illegal orders, you can refuse unlawful commands, you must reject illegal orders. No one has to execute commands that break the law or our founding principles."

Trump's Incensed Response

The clip reportedly provoke a angry reaction from the ex-president.

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

In another publication, he stated: "This is really bad, and Harmful to our United States. Their words cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Officials Answer

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Top Democrats released a joint declaration censuring the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no role in this nation," they declared. "Representatives who were featured in the video all served our country with tremendous patriotism and honor. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful death threats against elected officials, and urge GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in touch with protective services "to ensure the security of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and retract his aggressive language before he causes harm," the declaration stated.

Officials' Firm Response

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

"We serve as veterans and defense specialists who value this nation and made an pledge to defend and uphold the founding document of the United States," they said. "Our pledge is permanent, and we intend to honor it. No threat, coercion, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that sacred obligation."

"What's most telling is that the former president considers it subject to penalty by execution for us to repeat the statutes," they stated. "Armed forces members should know that we have their backs as they execute their vow to the national charter and responsibility to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "Every American must join forces and censure the ex-president's requests for our murder and political violence. This is a period for ethical certainty."

Additional Partisan Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's comments and published on digital platforms: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the execution of government members."

He continued: "This represents an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, all citizens – irrespective of political affiliation – should condemn this immediately and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker defended Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "This constitutes very risky, you have important representatives of the government advising troops to disobey orders, I think that's unprecedented in US history."

The GOP official also allegedly told media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "explaining the violation of sedition" but that "lawyers have to analyze the terminology and decide all that."

White House Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on that day, when inquired by a media member, "Is the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary answered: "Absolutely not."

"We should understand about what the president is addressing," the spokesperson said. "There are active officials of the federal government who worked together to arrange a recorded statement to personnel of the national defense, to active duty service members encouraging them to disobey the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She stated: "The purity of our military rests on the chain of command, and if that system is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can cause disorder, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally encouraging."