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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed fury after the ex-president alleged a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be taken into custody and penalized "with execution" following their posting of a controversial video.

The Message That Triggered the Controversy

The clip, shared on Tuesday, includes six Democratic lawmakers who formerly acted in armed forces or intelligence positions.

"As we did, you all swore an vow to protect and support this constitution," the representatives declared in the brief video. "At present, the dangers to our constitution are not only from overseas, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can reject improper directives, you can refuse improper directives, you have to refuse improper directives. No one has to execute directives that contravene the legal system or our founding principles."

The Former President's Incensed Reply

The recorded statement seemed to trigger a angry reaction from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on his social media platform: "This constitutes 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 wrote: "This constitutes really concerning, and Risky to our Country. Their statements cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Officials Answer

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

"Partisan aggression has no role in America," they declared. "Congress members who appeared in the video all served our country with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's appalling and risky calls for execution against congressional representatives, and appeal to GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in contact with protective services "to make certain the protection of these officials and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must without delay remove these radical digital publications and recant his dangerous language before he causes harm," the announcement continued.

Officials' Firm Answer

The officials who appeared in the video also issued a declaration.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and national security professionals who love this country and took an pledge to safeguard and defend the founding document of the United States," they declared. "That oath is permanent, and we plan to maintain it. No intimidation, pressure, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that fundamental duty."

"The significant point is that the former president deems it punishable by death for us to repeat the legal requirements," they continued. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they fulfill their pledge to the constitution and duty to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "All citizens must unite and censure the former president's requests for our murder and ideological conflict. This is a time for principled stance."

Further Governmental Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's remarks and shared on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is calling for the death of government members."

He added: "This represents an outright THREAT. All senators, each house member, every American – without partisan consideration – should censure this right away and absolutely."

The GOP leader supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have prominent officials of the legislature advising troops to ignore directives, I think that represents historic in US history."

The Republican leader also according to sources stated to the press that in what he examined of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the crime of rebellion" but that "attorneys have to parse the language and establish all that."

Administration Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on that day, when asked by a journalist, "Would the president want to execute congressional representatives?", the administration spokesperson answered: "Absolutely not."

"We should understand about what the president is responding to," the official said. "You have active officials of the American legislature who coordinated to orchestrate a recorded statement to members of the US military, to active duty service members encouraging them to defy the executive's lawful orders."

She stated: "The integrity of our armed forces rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can cause fatalities, it can lead to confusion, and precisely what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally encouraging."