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Democratic officials demonstrated anger after the ex-president charged a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and declared they should be taken into custody and punished "by death" following their release of a disputed video.

The Content That Triggered the Controversy

The recorded message, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who previously worked in defense or security capacities.

"As we did, you all made an pledge to protect and uphold this national charter," the officials stated in the 90-second video. "Currently, the risks to our governing document don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our laws are explicit, you can decline unlawful commands, you can reject unlawful commands, you must decline unlawful commands. No one has to carry out directives that contravene the law or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Furious Response

The clip reportedly prompt a furious reaction from the ex-president.

On later in the week, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another publication, he declared: "This is really concerning, and Risky to our Country. Their words cannot be permitted to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Opposition Representatives React

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

"Violent politics has no position in America," they stated. "Congress members who were featured in the video all acted our nation with tremendous loyalty and honor. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against elected officials, and urge Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in touch with protective services "to make certain the protection of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these unhinged online messages and recant his aggressive rhetoric before he causes harm," the declaration added.

Lawmakers' Firm Answer

The representatives who participated in the video also published a response.

"We serve as veterans and security experts who love this United States and swore an pledge to safeguard and defend the founding document of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No warning, intimidation, or call for violence will stop us from that sacred responsibility."

"The significant point is that the ex-president views it punishable by death for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their protection as they fulfill their vow to the founding principles and duty to adhere to only proper directives. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "The entire nation must unite and denounce the ex-president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a period for moral clarity."

Additional Political Comments

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's remarks and posted on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is requesting the death of government members."

He added: "This is an clear THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should denounce this right away and absolutely."

The Conservative official defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "This constitutes very harmful, you have important representatives of Congress telling troops to ignore directives, I think that represents unprecedented in the nation's past."

The Conservative representative also allegedly told journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the violation of treason" but that "legal experts have to analyze the wording and determine all that."

White House Statement

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a journalist, "Does the president want to execute members of Congress?", the White House press secretary responded: "Certainly not."

"We should understand about what the president is addressing," the spokesperson stated. "There are active officials of the American legislature who conspired to orchestrate a recorded statement to individuals of the US military, to serving soldiers encouraging them to defy the executive's proper directives."

She stated: "The sanctity of our armed forces rests on the command structure, and if that structure is compromised, it can result in fatalities, it can lead to disorder, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally supporting."