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Democratic officials voiced anger after former President Donald Trump charged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be taken into custody and penalized "with execution" following their release of a controversial video.

The Recording That Triggered the Controversy

The recorded message, shared on earlier this week, includes six Democratic lawmakers who previously worked in armed forces or intelligence positions.

"Like us, you all made an vow to safeguard and uphold this national charter," the representatives declared in the 90-second video. "Currently, the dangers to our constitution are not only from overseas, but from domestically. Our laws are explicit, you can decline illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you must decline illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that contravene the law or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Furious Response

The video message appeared to trigger a heated reply from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

In another publication, he stated: "This represents really concerning, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their comments cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third post, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also redistributed a declaration that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Officials Answer

Following Trump's statements on that day, Democratic leadership issued a joint statement denouncing the statements.

"Violent politics has no role in America," they wrote. "Elected officials who participated in the video all served our nation with tremendous national pride and excellence. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's offensive and risky death threats against elected officials, and call on House Republicans to forcefully do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in communication with protective services "to guarantee the safety of these officials and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these extreme digital publications and recant his dangerous discourse before he causes harm," the declaration continued.

Representatives' Defiant Response

The officials who appeared in the video also released a statement.

"We identify as former service members and national security professionals who care for this United States and swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States," they stated. "That oath is permanent, and we intend to honor it. No threat, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that important responsibility."

"The most revealing aspect is that the former president deems it liable to punishment by execution for us to repeat the legal requirements," they continued. "Military personnel should recognize that we have their backs as they execute their vow to the national charter and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "The entire nation must come together and censure the ex-president's requests for our execution and partisan aggression. This is a period for principled stance."

Further Governmental Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's remarks and published on social media: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the capital punishment of elected officials."

He added: "This represents an clear THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, every American – without partisan consideration – should denounce this without delay and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "This represents very dangerous, you have important representatives of the legislature advising troops to defy commands, I think that's without precedent in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also allegedly stated to media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the offense of treason" but that "lawyers have to examine the terminology and decide all that."

White House Statement

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a reporter, "Would the president want to kill members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson responded: "Certainly not."

"Let's be clear about what the former president is responding to," the representative said. "There are sitting members of the federal government who coordinated to arrange a digital communication to personnel of the American armed forces, to current military personnel advising them to ignore the executive's lawful orders."

She stated: "The sanctity of our defense system rests on the hierarchy, and if that system is broken, it can lead to fatalities, it can lead to chaos, and precisely what these elected officials ... are basically promoting."