🔗 Share this article

Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after the ex-president alleged a group of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and declared they should be arrested and punished "with execution" following their release of a disputed video.

The Message That Sparked the Debate

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, includes six Democratic elected officials who in the past served in military or security capacities.

"Similar to us, you all made an oath to protect and uphold this founding document," the officials affirmed in the short video. "Currently, the dangers to our governing document aren't just from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our regulations are explicit, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject illegal orders, you have to refuse unlawful commands. No one has to execute directives that break the statutes or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Angry Reaction

The recorded statement seemed to trigger a heated reaction from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump posted on his preferred platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional message, he wrote: "This represents really serious, and Harmful to our Country. Their statements cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Opposition Representatives Respond

Following Trump's comments on that day, Top Democrats issued a combined announcement censuring the statements.

"Violent politics has no role in the United States," they wrote. "Representatives who participated in the video all worked our nation with exceptional patriotism and distinction. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and risky threats of violence against elected officials, and urge Republican lawmakers to vigorously do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to ensure the security of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these extreme online messages and recant his aggressive discourse before he gets someone killed," the statement continued.

Officials' Strong Response

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

"We are former service members and national security professionals who love this nation and took an vow to safeguard and uphold the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge is permanent, and we plan to maintain it. No warning, coercion, or call for violence will prevent us from that sacred duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president considers it punishable by capital punishment for us to reiterate the statutes," they added. "Our service members should understand that we have their backs as they carry out their vow to the national charter and obligation to follow only proper directives. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "Every American must come together and censure the ex-president's demands for our execution and political violence. This is a time for ethical certainty."

Additional Political Reactions

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is requesting the death of government members."

He stated: "This represents an direct THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should denounce this right away and absolutely."

The GOP leader justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had been involved in "sedition", labeling the video as "extremely improper", adding: "This represents very risky, you have leading members of Congress telling military personnel to defy commands, I think that represents without precedent in American history."

The GOP official also reportedly told media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "explaining the violation of sedition" but that "lawyers have to parse the language and decide all that."

White House Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on that day, when asked by a journalist, "Does the president want to execute elected officials?", the White House press secretary answered: "No."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the official said. "We see sitting members of the federal government who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to individuals of the national defense, to current military personnel encouraging them to ignore the commander in chief's legal commands."

She said: "The purity of our military relies on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can result in people getting killed, it can lead to disorder, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally promoting."