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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated outrage after Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be arrested and sentenced "with execution" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Message That Provoked the Controversy

The clip, published on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic elected officials who in the past worked in military or defense positions.

"As we did, you all took an vow to safeguard and defend this constitution," the representatives stated in the short video. "And right now, the threats to our governing document don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our regulations are clear, you can decline unlawful commands, you can reject illegal orders, you have to reject improper directives. No one has to execute commands that contravene the statutes or our national charter."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The video message appeared to trigger a angry response from the former president.

On Thursday morning, Trump published on his social media platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional publication, he stated: "This constitutes really serious, and Risky to our United States. Their comments cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third post, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Leaders Respond

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Democratic leadership issued a joint declaration denouncing the statements.

"Political violence has no role in America," they declared. "Congress members who were featured in the video all served our United States with tremendous patriotism and excellence. We clearly censure Donald Trump's disgusting and risky threats of violence against members of Congress, and appeal to GOP representatives to vigorously do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in contact with security officials "to make certain the security of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these extreme social media posts and retract his dangerous rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the statement added.

Officials' Strong Response

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

"We identify as ex-military personnel and national security professionals who care for this country and took an vow to defend and support the constitution of the United States," they said. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. No intimidation, pressure, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that fundamental responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the president views it punishable by capital punishment for us to repeat the legal requirements," they stated. "Armed forces members should know that we have their backs as they execute their pledge to the constitution and obligation to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "The entire nation must come together and denounce the former president's calls for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Partisan Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's comments and shared on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the death of government members."

He stated: "This represents an outright THREAT. All senators, every Representative, every American – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this immediately and unconditionally."

The GOP leader supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "treason", describing the video as "extremely improper", stating: "This represents very harmful, you have leading members of the legislature advising soldiers to defy commands, I think that is historic in the nation's past."

The GOP official also allegedly stated to media outlets that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the offense of sedition" but that "legal experts have to parse the wording and establish all that."

White House Response

During a administration briefing on later that day, when questioned by a reporter, "Is the president want to execute members of Congress?", the executive branch representative responded: "No."

"It's important to note about what the president is responding to," the spokesperson declared. "We see sitting members of the federal government who worked together to arrange a digital communication to personnel of the American armed forces, to active duty service members urging them to ignore the executive's proper directives."

She said: "The integrity of our military depends on the chain of command, and if that system is violated, it can result in people getting killed, it can cause disorder, and precisely what these elected officials ... are basically encouraging."