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Democratic officials voiced outrage after former President Donald Trump alleged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "through capital punishment" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Content That Provoked the Dispute

The clip, released on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who formerly served in armed forces or intelligence positions.

"As we did, you all took an oath to protect and uphold this founding document," the representatives affirmed in the 90-second video. "At present, the risks to our governing document aren't just from overseas, but from domestically. Our laws are clear, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can decline unlawful commands, you must reject unlawful commands. No one has to carry out directives that contravene the law or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Angry Reply

The video message reportedly trigger a furious response from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

In a separate post, he wrote: "This constitutes really serious, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their statements cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent publication, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a comment that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Representatives React

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

"Political violence has no place in the United States," they declared. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all worked our nation with great national pride and honor. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against elected officials, and call on Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must right away take down these extreme online messages and recant his dangerous discourse before he causes harm," the announcement stated.

Representatives' Firm Reaction

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

"We identify as former service members and defense specialists who value this country and swore an pledge to protect and defend the national charter of the United States," they said. "That oath is permanent, and we intend to honor it. No warning, intimidation, or call for violence will prevent us from that fundamental responsibility."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president deems it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the law," they added. "Military personnel should know that we have their support as they carry out their vow to the founding principles and responsibility to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "All citizens must join forces and denounce the president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a time for ethical certainty."

Further Partisan Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's statements and shared on social media: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the capital punishment of public representatives."

He stated: "This represents an direct THREAT. All senators, each house member, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this immediately and absolutely."

The GOP leader defended Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", labeling the video as "extremely improper", stating: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have leading members of the legislature advising military personnel to defy commands, I think that's without precedent in US history."

The Conservative representative also according to sources told the press that in what he examined of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the violation of treason" but that "legal experts have to examine the terminology and determine all that."

White House Statement

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter, "Would the president want to execute elected officials?", the White House press secretary responded: "No."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the official said. "We see active officials of the federal government who coordinated to organize a video message to personnel of the national defense, to serving soldiers urging them to defy the executive's legal commands."

She said: "The sanctity of our armed forces relies on the chain of command, and if that structure is broken, it can lead to fatalities, it can result in disorder, and precisely what these elected officials ... are basically supporting."