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Democratic officials demonstrated outrage after Donald Trump accused a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and asserted they should be detained and punished "with execution" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Message That Provoked the Dispute

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, features six Democratic elected officials who previously worked in military or intelligence positions.

"Similar to us, you all made an vow to safeguard and support this founding document," the lawmakers declared in the 90-second video. "Currently, the threats to our democratic foundation aren't just from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can reject illegal orders, you can refuse improper directives, you must decline unlawful commands. No one has to execute commands that contravene the law or our founding principles."

The Former President's Incensed Response

The video message appeared to provoke a heated response from the former president.

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

In another post, he stated: "This is really bad, and Dangerous to our United States. Their statements cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional message, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also redistributed a statement that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Leaders Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats published a joint statement denouncing the statements.

"Violent politics has no place in the United States," they wrote. "Congress members who appeared in the video all worked our nation with exceptional national pride and honor. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's appalling and dangerous threats of violence against members of Congress, and urge House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in contact with protective services "to guarantee the safety of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these extreme online messages and retract his aggressive rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the statement continued.

Officials' Strong Response

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

"We are ex-military personnel and national security professionals who care for this United States and took an vow to safeguard and uphold the founding document of the United States," they stated. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to maintain it. No warning, coercion, or call for violence will stop us from that sacred obligation."

"The significant point is that the president considers it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should understand that we have their support as they execute their vow to the founding principles and obligation to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They stated: "All citizens must come together and condemn the ex-president's demands for our death and political violence. This is a period for ethical certainty."

Additional Governmental Reactions

The Opposition leader also censured Trump's comments and published on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is demanding the execution of government members."

He added: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, every Representative, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should denounce this immediately and unconditionally."

The GOP leader supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "This constitutes very risky, you have important representatives of the legislature instructing soldiers to disobey orders, I think that represents unprecedented in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also allegedly told the press that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the offense of sedition" but that "legal experts have to parse the wording and decide all that."

Administration Reaction

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a journalist, "Would the president want to execute congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary answered: "Certainly not."

"Let's be clear about what the former president is responding to," the representative declared. "We see current representatives of the US Congress who coordinated to organize a video message to personnel of the national defense, to active duty service members urging them to ignore the president's proper directives."

She stated: "The purity of our military depends on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can result in people getting killed, it can lead to chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are basically encouraging."