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Democratic officials expressed fury after former President Donald Trump accused a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and declared they should be arrested and penalized "by death" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Content That Triggered the Dispute

The video footage, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic congress members who in the past worked in defense or defense roles.

"As we did, you all took an oath to safeguard and defend this founding document," the officials stated in the brief video. "And right now, the dangers to our democratic foundation aren't just from foreign nations, but from domestically. Our statutes are clear, you can reject improper directives, you can refuse illegal orders, you should reject unlawful commands. No one has to execute directives that violate the law or our founding principles."

The Former President's Incensed Response

The clip reportedly trigger a angry response from the former president.

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

In an additional post, he stated: "This constitutes really serious, and Risky to our Nation. Their words cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third publication, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Representatives Respond

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Top Democrats published a joint announcement condemning the remarks.

"Political violence has no place in the United States," they stated. "Elected officials who participated in the video all acted our country with great loyalty and distinction. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against elected officials, and call on GOP representatives to vigorously do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in communication with law enforcement "to guarantee the protection of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these extreme online messages and recant his violent language before he gets someone killed," the declaration stated.

Representatives' Defiant Answer

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

"We serve as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who care for this country and swore an pledge to defend and defend the national charter of the United States," they stated. "This commitment continues forever, and we plan to keep it. No threat, coercion, or incitement will prevent us from that sacred obligation."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president deems it subject to penalty by death for us to restate the statutes," they stated. "Armed forces members should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their vow to the national charter and obligation to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "Every American must come together and denounce the president's calls for our death and political violence. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Partisan Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's comments and shared on digital platforms: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the death of public representatives."

He continued: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, every American – without partisan consideration – should condemn this without delay and absolutely."

The Conservative official supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "This constitutes very risky, you have important representatives of the government advising troops to disobey orders, I think that is unprecedented in US history."

The Republican leader also allegedly told media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's messages, Trump was "defining the violation of sedition" but that "lawyers have to examine the terminology and decide all that."

White House Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when asked by a journalist, "Would the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the administration spokesperson replied: "No."

"It's important to note about what the president is responding to," the official stated. "There are active officials of the US Congress who conspired to orchestrate a recorded statement to individuals of the US military, to active duty service members urging them to defy the president's lawful orders."

She said: "The integrity of our armed forces rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can result in casualties, it can lead to chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are essentially supporting."