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Democratic officials expressed anger after Donald Trump alleged a group of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be taken into custody and sentenced "by death" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Recording That Triggered the Dispute

The clip, published on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic congress members who formerly served in defense or intelligence capacities.

"Similar to us, you all swore an oath to safeguard and uphold this national charter," the officials stated in the brief video. "And right now, the threats to our governing document aren't just from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our laws are unambiguous, you can reject illegal orders, you can decline illegal orders, you should refuse illegal orders. No one has to execute commands that violate the legal system or our constitution."

The Former President's Furious Reaction

The clip appeared to trigger a furious response from the former president.

On Thursday morning, Trump posted on his social media platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate post, he declared: "This represents really serious, and Risky to our Nation. Their comments cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Representatives Answer

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a combined announcement denouncing the statements.

"Political violence has no position in this nation," they declared. "Congress members who participated in the video all served our country with tremendous national pride and honor. We strongly censure Donald Trump's offensive and harmful calls for execution against elected officials, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in communication with protective services "to ensure the protection of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these radical digital publications and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the announcement stated.

Representatives' Defiant Answer

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

"We identify as former service members and security experts who care for this United States and swore an vow to safeguard and support the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge continues forever, and we intend to keep it. No warning, intimidation, or incitement will deter us from that sacred duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the former president considers it subject to penalty by execution for us to reiterate the statutes," they added. "Our service members should recognize that we have their backs as they fulfill their pledge to the national charter and duty to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "The entire nation must unite and condemn the former president's demands for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a time for ethical certainty."

Additional Political Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's statements and published on digital platforms: "It's important to understand: the former president is demanding the capital punishment of elected officials."

He continued: "This represents an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, the entire nation – regardless of party – should censure this right away and unconditionally."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have important representatives of Congress advising troops to defy commands, I think that's without precedent in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also reportedly stated to media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the offense of rebellion" but that "attorneys have to examine the wording and decide all that."

Administration Reaction

During a administration briefing on later that day, when inquired by a media member, "Does the president want to put to death congressional representatives?", the administration spokesperson responded: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is reacting to," the official said. "We see current representatives of the federal government who conspired to arrange a video message to personnel of the American armed forces, to serving soldiers encouraging them to disobey the president's proper directives."

She said: "The integrity of our military rests on the command structure, and if that structure is violated, it can cause fatalities, it can lead to chaos, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are basically promoting."