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Democratic officials voiced fury after the ex-president charged a group of Democratic representatives of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be taken into custody and penalized "with execution" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Content That Provoked the Controversy

The clip, released on Tuesday, includes six Democratic elected officials who formerly acted in military or security capacities.

"As we did, you all made an pledge to protect and uphold this founding document," the officials declared in the short video. "At present, the threats to our governing document are not only from overseas, but from within our own country. Our laws are explicit, you can decline improper directives, you can decline unlawful commands, you must refuse unlawful commands. No one has to follow commands that break the legal system or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Furious Reply

The video message reportedly prompt a heated reaction from the former president.

On later in the week, Trump posted on his social media 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 post, he wrote: "This is really serious, and Risky to our Nation. Their comments cannot be permitted to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent publication, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also shared a statement that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Officials Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, Democratic leadership published a unified statement censuring the remarks.

"Violent politics has no place in the United States," they stated. "Representatives who were featured in the video all acted our United States with great patriotism and distinction. We clearly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and risky calls for execution against congressional representatives, and call on House Republicans to strongly do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these radical online messages and retract his dangerous rhetoric before he causes harm," the declaration stated.

Lawmakers' Strong Reaction

The representatives who participated in the video also issued a declaration.

"We are former service members and security experts who value this country and took an vow to safeguard and defend the founding document of the United States," they stated. "This commitment continues forever, and we plan to maintain it. No threat, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that sacred duty."

"The significant point is that the president views it punishable by death for us to reiterate the law," they added. "Military personnel should understand that we have their support as they execute their pledge to the constitution and duty to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "The entire nation must come together and censure the president's calls for our execution and political violence. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Governmental Comments

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's comments and published on social media: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the death of government members."

He stated: "This represents an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, the entire nation – regardless of party – should denounce this without delay and absolutely."

The GOP leader defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", adding: "It is very dangerous, you have prominent officials of Congress telling military personnel to defy commands, I think that is without precedent in US history."

The Republican leader also allegedly told media outlets that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the violation of treason" but that "attorneys have to parse the terminology and establish all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a administration briefing on that day, when inquired by a media member, "Is the president want to execute members of Congress?", the White House press secretary answered: "No."

"We should understand about what the president is addressing," the representative declared. "You have active officials of the US Congress who conspired to arrange a recorded statement to members of the US military, to serving soldiers urging them to disobey the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She stated: "The sanctity of our defense system depends on the hierarchy, and if that structure is compromised, it can cause people getting killed, it can cause confusion, and that's what these elected officials ... are basically supporting."