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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated fury after former President Donald Trump charged a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "turncoats" and declared they should be arrested and punished "with execution" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Message That Triggered the Dispute

The clip, shared on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic elected officials who formerly worked in armed forces or security roles.

"Like us, you all made an vow to protect and defend this national charter," the lawmakers affirmed in the short video. "And right now, the dangers to our democratic foundation are not only from abroad, but from within our own country. Our laws are explicit, you can decline unlawful commands, you can refuse improper directives, you should refuse illegal orders. No one has to execute commands that break the law or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Incensed Reaction

The recorded statement appeared to provoke a angry reaction from the ex-president.

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

In another post, he stated: "This is really concerning, and Risky to our United States. Their words cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Leaders Respond

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a joint statement condemning the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no role in this nation," they declared. "Congress members who appeared in the video all acted our country with exceptional national pride and excellence. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful death threats against congressional representatives, and call on GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to make certain the safety of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these extreme online messages and retract his dangerous language before he gets someone killed," the announcement stated.

Representatives' Strong Reaction

The representatives who appeared in the video also issued a response.

"We are veterans and defense specialists who value this United States and took an pledge to safeguard and defend the founding document of the United States," they said. "That oath is permanent, and we intend to maintain it. No intimidation, coercion, or call for violence will stop us from that fundamental obligation."

"What's most telling is that the former president views it subject to penalty by death for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they added. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their support as they execute their pledge to the constitution and duty to follow only proper directives. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "The entire nation must join forces and denounce the president's calls for our death and partisan aggression. This is a time for principled stance."

Additional Governmental Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's statements and shared on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is demanding the death of elected officials."

He continued: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, every American – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this immediately and without qualification."

The GOP leader supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "treason", describing the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "It is very harmful, you have prominent officials of the government telling troops to disobey orders, I think that represents without precedent in American history."

The GOP official also reportedly informed the press that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the offense of sedition" but that "lawyers have to analyze the wording and decide all that."

Administration Response

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter, "Is the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the executive branch representative replied: "No."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the official said. "There are sitting members of the federal government who worked together to organize a digital communication to personnel of the national defense, to current military personnel urging them to ignore the president's legal commands."

She stated: "The purity of our military rests on the hierarchy, and if that structure is violated, it can cause fatalities, it can cause confusion, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally promoting."