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Democratic officials demonstrated outrage after the ex-president alleged a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "with execution" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Message That Sparked the Dispute

The clip, released on Tuesday, features six Democratic elected officials who in the past acted in armed forces or intelligence roles.

"Similar to us, you all made an vow to safeguard and defend this constitution," the officials declared in the brief video. "Currently, the risks to our constitution are not only from overseas, but from within our own country. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject improper directives, you must decline unlawful commands. No one has to follow orders that violate the law or our constitution."

The Former President's Furious Reaction

The video message seemed to trigger a angry response from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump published on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate message, he declared: "This is really serious, and Harmful to our Country. Their comments cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Leaders Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, House Democratic leader issued a unified announcement censuring the statements.

"Violent politics has no role in this nation," they declared. "Congress members who were featured in the video all worked our nation with exceptional patriotism and honor. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's appalling and risky threats of violence against members of Congress, and urge GOP representatives to vigorously do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in contact with law enforcement "to guarantee the safety of these officials and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these radical social media posts and recant his violent discourse before he causes harm," the statement continued.

Lawmakers' Firm Response

The officials who were featured in the video also released a response.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who value this nation and made an vow to defend and support the founding document of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge is permanent, and we plan to maintain it. No threat, pressure, or incitement will deter us from that sacred duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president deems it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to reiterate the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their support as they carry out their pledge to the founding principles and obligation to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "All citizens must come together and censure the former president's calls for our murder and partisan aggression. This is a moment for ethical certainty."

Additional Governmental Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's remarks and shared on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is calling for the death of public representatives."

He continued: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, the entire nation – regardless of party – should censure this right away and absolutely."

The GOP leader justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "It is very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress telling military personnel to disobey orders, I think that's without precedent in US history."

The GOP official also according to sources told journalists that in what he examined of Trump's messages, Trump was "explaining the violation of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to examine the language and establish all that."

White House Reaction

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

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the spokesperson declared. "There are current representatives of the US Congress who coordinated to organize a digital communication to individuals of the US military, to active duty service members advising them to ignore the executive's lawful orders."

She stated: "The purity of our defense system rests on the command structure, and if that structure is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can result in confusion, and that's what these members of Congress ... are basically supporting."