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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated outrage after Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "by death" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Recording That Sparked the Dispute

The clip, released on Tuesday, includes six Democratic congress members who in the past acted in military or intelligence capacities.

"Like us, you all took an oath to protect and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers affirmed in the short video. "At present, the risks to our constitution aren't just from abroad, but from within our own country. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse illegal orders, you can decline unlawful commands, you should refuse unlawful commands. No one has to follow orders that violate the legal system or our constitution."

Trump's Furious Reply

The recorded statement seemed to prompt a furious response from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

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

In a subsequent publication, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also redistributed a comment that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Representatives Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, House Democratic leader published a combined declaration censuring the comments.

"Political violence has no place in this nation," they declared. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all served our country with great national pride and distinction. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against members of Congress, and urge GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these radical digital publications and withdraw his violent rhetoric before he leads to violence," the statement stated.

Lawmakers' Firm Response

The lawmakers who were featured in the video also published a statement.

"We are veterans and national security professionals who care for this nation and made an vow to protect and uphold the constitution of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge continues forever, and we intend to maintain it. No threat, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that sacred duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president considers it punishable by execution for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they added. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their protection 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 responsibility."

They added: "Every American must come together and condemn the president's calls for our death and partisan aggression. This is a moment for moral clarity."

Additional Political Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's statements and shared on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is requesting the capital punishment of public representatives."

He stated: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, each house member, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this without delay and without qualification."

The GOP leader justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "treason", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "This constitutes very risky, you have leading members of the government advising military personnel to ignore directives, I think that's without precedent in US history."

The Republican leader also allegedly told media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "defining the crime of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to parse the wording and establish all that."

White House Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a journalist, "Is the president want to execute congressional representatives?", the executive branch representative responded: "No."

"Let's be clear about what the president is reacting to," the spokesperson declared. "There are sitting members of the American legislature who worked together to organize a digital communication to personnel of the national defense, to active duty service members advising them to defy the commander in chief's legal commands."

She said: "The purity of our defense system relies on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can lead to people getting killed, it can lead to chaos, and precisely what these elected officials ... are essentially encouraging."