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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after former President Donald Trump accused a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be arrested and sentenced "through capital punishment" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Content That Sparked the Debate

The clip, shared on earlier this week, features six Democratic lawmakers who in the past acted in military or security capacities.

"Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and uphold this founding document," the officials affirmed in the brief video. "At present, the threats to our constitution aren't just from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our laws are explicit, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject improper directives, you should reject unlawful commands. No one has to follow orders that violate the law or our founding principles."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The video message reportedly provoke a heated reply from the former president.

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

In another message, he wrote: "This is really serious, and Dangerous to our United States. Their statements cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third message, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Officials React

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a joint declaration condemning the statements.

"Violent politics has no position in this nation," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all worked our country with tremendous national pride and excellence. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against members of Congress, and call on Republican lawmakers to vigorously do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to make certain the safety of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these radical social media posts and withdraw his violent discourse before he leads to violence," the announcement added.

Representatives' Firm Reaction

The lawmakers who participated in the video also issued a statement.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who love this country and took an pledge to defend and defend the national charter of the United States," they said. "This commitment is permanent, and we aim to keep it. No intimidation, coercion, or call for violence will stop us from that sacred duty."

"The significant point is that the president deems it punishable by capital punishment for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they stated. "Military personnel should know that we have their protection as they fulfill their oath to the constitution and obligation to adhere to only proper directives. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "The entire nation must join forces and censure the former president's requests for our murder and political violence. This is a time for principled stance."

Additional Governmental Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's comments and shared on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the death of public representatives."

He added: "This represents an direct THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, all citizens – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and absolutely."

The Conservative official defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have important representatives of the government instructing soldiers to ignore directives, I think that represents without precedent in American history."

The GOP official also according to sources told journalists that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the offense of treason" but that "attorneys have to analyze the terminology and decide all that."

Administration Reaction

During a administration briefing on later that day, when asked by a media member, "Would the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the executive branch representative answered: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is responding to," the official said. "You have active officials of the US Congress who worked together to arrange a recorded statement to members of the national defense, to active duty service members urging them to defy the president's legal commands."

She stated: "The purity of our military depends on the chain of command, and if that system is broken, it can cause casualties, it can lead to disorder, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are essentially encouraging."