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Democratic officials expressed anger after former President Donald Trump accused a contingent of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and stated they should be detained and penalized "with execution" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Recording That Triggered the Debate

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

"Like us, you all took an vow to defend and defend this national charter," the lawmakers declared in the short video. "Currently, the dangers to our democratic foundation aren't just from overseas, but from domestically. Our regulations are explicit, you can refuse illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you have to decline improper directives. No one has to execute directives that contravene the statutes or our constitution."

The Former President's Incensed Reply

The recorded statement seemed to trigger a angry reaction from the former president.

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

In another publication, he stated: "This constitutes really serious, and Harmful to our United States. Their words cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent post, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Representatives Respond

Following Trump's remarks on that day, House Democratic leader issued a joint announcement denouncing the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no place in this nation," they wrote. "Representatives who participated in the video all worked our United States with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's offensive and harmful calls for execution against congressional representatives, and call on House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in communication with law enforcement "to ensure the safety of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these unhinged social media posts and retract his aggressive discourse before he gets someone killed," the announcement stated.

Representatives' Strong Reaction

The officials who participated in the video also issued a response.

"We identify as veterans and security experts who value this United States and swore an vow to protect and support the founding document of the United States," they declared. "This commitment continues forever, and we aim to honor it. No threat, coercion, or incitement will deter us from that sacred obligation."

"What's most telling is that the president deems it subject to penalty by capital punishment for us to restate the statutes," they continued. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their backs as they execute their pledge to the founding principles and obligation to adhere to only proper directives. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "Every American must join forces and denounce the ex-president's demands for our execution and partisan aggression. This is a time for principled stance."

Additional Political Comments

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's comments and posted on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is requesting the capital punishment of government members."

He continued: "This represents an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, every American – irrespective of political affiliation – should censure this right away and absolutely."

The Republican House speaker justified Trump's assertion that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "It is very risky, you have leading members of the government advising troops to defy commands, I think that is historic in American history."

The GOP official also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the crime of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to parse the terminology and determine all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a media member, "Would the president want to execute congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary answered: "No."

"Let's be clear about what the former president is addressing," the spokesperson declared. "There are active officials of the US Congress who coordinated to arrange a digital communication to individuals of the American armed forces, to serving soldiers urging them to ignore the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She added: "The integrity of our military relies on the hierarchy, and if that structure is broken, it can lead to people getting killed, it can lead to chaos, and precisely what these elected officials ... are essentially supporting."