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Democratic officials voiced fury after the ex-president alleged a contingent of Democratic legislators of being "betrayers" and stated they should be arrested and penalized "with execution" following their release of a disputed video.

The Content That Sparked the Dispute

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, includes six Democratic congress members who formerly served in military or intelligence roles.

"As we did, you all took an oath to defend and support this constitution," the lawmakers stated in the short video. "At present, the risks to our constitution are not only from abroad, but from domestically. Our laws are clear, you can reject unlawful commands, you can decline improper directives, you have to decline improper directives. No one has to carry out commands that break the statutes or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Furious Reaction

The video message seemed to provoke a heated response from the ex-president.

On later in the week, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional publication, he declared: "This is really concerning, and Risky to our Country. Their statements cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent post, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a statement that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Leaders React

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a combined announcement censuring the comments.

"Political violence has no position in the United States," they wrote. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all acted our nation with tremendous loyalty and excellence. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump's offensive and harmful threats of violence against congressional representatives, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in contact with security officials "to guarantee the security of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and withdraw his violent rhetoric before he causes harm," the statement stated.

Lawmakers' Firm Answer

The officials who participated in the video also published a declaration.

"We serve as former service members and defense specialists who care for this nation and swore an oath to defend and defend the founding document of the United States," they stated. "That oath is permanent, and we aim to honor it. No intimidation, coercion, or call for violence will stop us from that important obligation."

"What's most telling is that the former president views it liable to punishment by death for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Military personnel should understand that we have their backs as they carry out their pledge to the national charter and duty to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They stated: "All citizens must unite and denounce the president's calls for our death and political violence. This is a period for ethical certainty."

More Partisan Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also denounced Trump's remarks and published on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is calling for the execution of public representatives."

He added: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, every Representative, the entire nation – regardless of party – should condemn this without delay and unconditionally."

The GOP leader defended Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This represents very harmful, you have leading members of Congress advising soldiers to disobey orders, I think that represents unprecedented in US history."

The Republican leader also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the offense of rebellion" but that "attorneys have to examine the wording and establish all that."

Administration Response

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when inquired by a media member, "Does the president want to put to death congressional representatives?", the administration spokesperson replied: "Certainly not."

"We should understand about what the president is addressing," the representative declared. "There are active officials of the US Congress who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to personnel of the national defense, to active duty service members encouraging them to ignore the executive's proper directives."

She said: "The integrity of our military depends on the chain of command, and if that structure is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can cause chaos, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally supporting."