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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated anger after the ex-president alleged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be detained and penalized "with execution" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Content That Triggered the Dispute

The clip, published on earlier this week, includes six Democratic lawmakers who in the past worked in defense or defense capacities.

"As we did, you all made an oath to protect and defend this constitution," the representatives declared in the brief video. "And right now, the threats to our democratic foundation are not only from overseas, but from within our own country. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can reject unlawful commands, you can refuse unlawful commands, you must refuse improper directives. No one has to follow directives that break the law or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Incensed Response

The video message appeared to provoke a angry reply from the ex-president.

On later in the week, Trump published on his preferred platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional publication, he wrote: "This constitutes really bad, and Risky to our Nation. Their comments cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Officials Respond

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a unified statement denouncing the comments.

"Violent politics has no place in America," they wrote. "Elected officials who participated in the video all served our United States with tremendous national pride and honor. We clearly censure Donald Trump's offensive and harmful threats of violence against members of Congress, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in communication with protective services "to ensure the protection of these officials and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these extreme digital publications and retract his dangerous language before he causes harm," the declaration continued.

Representatives' Strong Response

The representatives who were featured in the video also published a response.

"We are former service members and national security professionals who value this country and took an pledge to protect and uphold the founding document of the United States," they declared. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. No warning, intimidation, or call for violence will prevent us from that sacred responsibility."

"The significant point is that the president views it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the statutes," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their support as they carry out their oath to the constitution and obligation to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "All citizens must unite and censure the ex-president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a time for moral clarity."

Additional Political Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's comments and posted on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is calling for the death of public representatives."

He continued: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and unconditionally."

The Conservative official justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "treason", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "It is very harmful, you have leading members of Congress advising military personnel to ignore directives, I think that represents unprecedented in American history."

The Republican leader also according to sources stated to media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the violation of treason" but that "legal experts have to parse the terminology and determine all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a reporter, "Is the president want to put to death elected officials?", the White House press secretary answered: "Certainly not."

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the spokesperson said. "We see sitting members of the US Congress who coordinated to organize a recorded statement to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel advising them to disobey the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She stated: "The sanctity of our defense system depends on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can cause people getting killed, it can result in confusion, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally supporting."