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Democratic officials demonstrated anger after Donald Trump alleged a group of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "with execution" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Message That Provoked the Debate

The recorded message, published on earlier this week, includes six Democratic congress members who in the past served in military or security capacities.

"Like us, you all took an oath to protect and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers declared in the brief video. "And right now, the dangers to our democratic foundation are not only from abroad, but from right here at home. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can reject unlawful commands, you can decline illegal orders, you must reject improper directives. No one has to follow commands that break the statutes or our national charter."

The Former President's Incensed Response

The video message seemed to prompt a furious reaction from the former president.

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

In another message, he wrote: "This constitutes really serious, and Harmful to our Country. Their words cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional message, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a statement that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, House Democratic leader issued a combined declaration condemning the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no role in this nation," they declared. "Representatives who participated in the video all acted our country with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's appalling and dangerous death threats against members of Congress, and urge House Republicans to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials also stated that they had been in touch with security officials "to make certain the safety of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must without delay remove these unhinged online messages and retract his violent rhetoric before he causes harm," the declaration continued.

Representatives' Defiant Response

The officials who appeared in the video also released a statement.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and security experts who love this United States and swore an oath to safeguard and support the national charter of the United States," they stated. "That oath continues forever, and we aim to honor it. No warning, coercion, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that fundamental duty."

"The significant point is that the president considers it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to repeat the law," they continued. "Our service members should understand that we have their protection as they carry out their oath to the national charter and responsibility to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "Every American must come together and condemn the ex-president's requests for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a moment for principled stance."

Additional Partisan Comments

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's statements and posted on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the death of elected officials."

He continued: "This represents an direct THREAT. All senators, every Representative, every American – regardless of party – should censure this immediately and absolutely."

The GOP leader supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "treason", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "This constitutes very risky, you have leading members of the government instructing soldiers to defy commands, I think that is historic in US history."

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

Administration Response

During a administration briefing on that day, when asked by a journalist, "Does the president want to put to death elected officials?", the White House press secretary responded: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is responding to," the spokesperson declared. "You have sitting members of the US Congress who worked together to orchestrate a recorded statement to members of the national defense, to current military personnel advising them to defy the president's lawful orders."

She added: "The purity of our armed forces rests on the command structure, and if that chain of command is violated, it can lead to people getting killed, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these elected officials ... are fundamentally supporting."