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Democratic officials expressed anger after former President Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and asserted they should be detained and penalized "with execution" following their release of a contentious video.

The Message That Provoked the Dispute

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, includes six Democratic lawmakers who in the past worked in armed forces or defense capacities.

"Like us, you all took an oath to defend and defend this constitution," the lawmakers affirmed in the 90-second video. "At present, the dangers to our constitution don't only come from foreign nations, but from domestically. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can decline improper directives, you can decline improper directives, you should refuse unlawful commands. No one has to follow orders that contravene the law or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Angry Reaction

The video message appeared to prompt a furious reaction from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump published on Truth Social: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate publication, he wrote: "This represents really serious, and Dangerous to our United States. Their comments cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Leaders Answer

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, House Democratic leader released a unified statement condemning the remarks.

"Violent politics has no role in America," they declared. "Representatives who participated in the video all worked our nation with tremendous national pride and honor. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous calls for execution against elected officials, and urge GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in contact with security officials "to guarantee the protection of these members and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these unhinged online messages and withdraw his violent rhetoric before he leads to violence," the statement continued.

Representatives' Firm Reaction

The lawmakers who were featured in the video also issued a declaration.

"We identify as former service members and security experts who value this United States and took an pledge to protect and defend the constitution of the United States," they said. "That oath is permanent, and we intend to keep it. No threat, coercion, or incitement will stop us from that fundamental responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president views it subject to penalty by execution for us to restate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their protection as they execute their pledge to the founding principles and responsibility to obey only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "The entire nation must come together and condemn the president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a moment for ethical certainty."

Additional Political Comments

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's remarks and published on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is calling for the death of public representatives."

He continued: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and unconditionally."

The GOP leader supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "treason", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "It is very risky, you have prominent officials of the government advising troops to disobey orders, I think that represents without precedent in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also according to sources informed journalists that in what he examined of Trump's messages, Trump was "defining the crime of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to parse the terminology and establish all that."

White House Statement

During a administration briefing on that day, when questioned by a reporter, "Does the president want to kill members of Congress?", the White House press secretary answered: "Certainly not."

"It's important to note about what the former president is reacting to," the spokesperson said. "There are active officials of the American legislature who conspired to orchestrate a digital communication to members of the US military, to active duty service members urging them to defy the commander in chief's proper directives."

She said: "The integrity of our defense system rests on the hierarchy, and if that chain of command is broken, it can cause people getting killed, it can cause disorder, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are essentially supporting."