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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated outrage after the ex-president charged a group of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and asserted they should be taken into custody and punished "through capital punishment" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Content That Provoked the Controversy

The recorded message, shared on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic elected officials who previously acted in armed forces or security roles.

"Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers affirmed in the 90-second video. "And right now, the risks to our constitution don't only come from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our regulations are explicit, you can decline improper directives, you can reject unlawful commands, you have to decline improper directives. No one has to follow commands that break the statutes or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Furious Reply

The video message seemed to provoke a furious reaction from the former president.

On Thursday morning, Trump wrote 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 a separate publication, he declared: "This is really serious, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their statements cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Opposition Officials Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, House Democratic leader released a combined statement denouncing the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no role in America," they declared. "Representatives who appeared in the video all acted our country with tremendous national pride and excellence. We strongly censure Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful threats of violence against elected officials, and call on Republican lawmakers to vigorously do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in contact with security officials "to guarantee the security of these officials and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these radical social media posts and retract his dangerous discourse before he gets someone killed," the declaration added.

Representatives' Defiant Reaction

The lawmakers who appeared in the video also published a response.

"We serve as ex-military personnel and security experts who value this United States and took an vow to protect and uphold the constitution of the United States," they declared. "This commitment is permanent, and we intend to keep it. No warning, intimidation, or incitement will stop us from that important duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the former president views it punishable by death for us to reiterate the statutes," they stated. "Military personnel should know that we have their support as they fulfill their oath to the constitution and duty to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They stated: "All citizens must join forces and censure the ex-president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a moment for moral clarity."

Further Partisan Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on digital platforms: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the execution of government members."

He continued: "This constitutes an clear THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, every American – without partisan consideration – should censure this without delay and unconditionally."

The Republican House speaker defended Trump's allegation that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "This represents very dangerous, you have prominent officials of Congress telling military personnel to disobey orders, I think that is unprecedented in American history."

The Republican leader also according to sources stated to journalists that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the violation of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to analyze the terminology and decide all that."

Administration Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when inquired by a media member, "Would the president want to kill members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson responded: "Certainly not."

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the spokesperson stated. "There are sitting members of the US Congress who coordinated to arrange a digital communication to individuals of the American armed forces, to current military personnel urging them to ignore the president's proper directives."

She stated: "The purity of our armed forces depends on the hierarchy, and if that structure is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally encouraging."