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Democratic officials voiced outrage after Donald Trump charged a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and asserted they should be taken into custody and punished "through capital punishment" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Message That Provoked the Debate

The clip, released on earlier this week, includes six Democratic lawmakers who previously acted in military or defense roles.

"As we did, you all took an pledge to defend and support this founding document," the representatives affirmed in the short video. "Currently, the dangers to our constitution aren't just from overseas, but from domestically. Our statutes are explicit, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject illegal orders, you must reject illegal orders. No one has to carry out directives that contravene the law or our national charter."

Trump's Furious Reply

The recorded statement appeared to trigger a furious reply from the previous commander-in-chief.

On the following morning, Trump posted on his social media platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate post, he wrote: "This is really concerning, and Risky to our Nation. Their words cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Officials Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a combined announcement condemning the remarks.

"Violent politics has no role in this nation," they wrote. "Elected officials who participated in the video all acted our nation with great patriotism and excellence. We clearly condemn Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous threats of violence against congressional representatives, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in communication with protective services "to guarantee the safety of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these extreme social media posts and recant his dangerous rhetoric before he causes harm," the statement stated.

Lawmakers' Defiant Answer

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

"We identify as former service members and national security professionals who care for this nation and made an pledge to protect and uphold the constitution of the United States," they said. "Our pledge continues forever, and we intend to honor it. No warning, pressure, or incitement will stop us from that sacred responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president considers it punishable by death for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they added. "Our service members should recognize that we have their backs as they execute their oath to the founding principles and responsibility to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "The entire nation must unite and condemn the former president's calls for our death and political violence. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Governmental Reactions

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's comments and published on digital platforms: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the death of government members."

He continued: "This represents an direct THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should condemn this immediately and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "It is very dangerous, you have leading members of the legislature advising soldiers to defy commands, I think that represents unprecedented in the nation's past."

The Conservative representative also reportedly informed journalists that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "defining the offense of sedition" but that "lawyers have to examine the terminology and establish all that."

Administration Response

During a White House press conference on later that day, when asked by a journalist, "Would the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the executive branch representative answered: "Certainly not."

"It's important to note about what the former president is responding to," the official declared. "We see current representatives of the federal government who coordinated to arrange a video message to personnel of the American armed forces, to current military personnel urging them to disobey the president's legal commands."

She stated: "The integrity of our military relies on the command structure, and if that chain of command is compromised, it can result in people getting killed, it can cause chaos, and that's what these members of Congress ... are essentially promoting."