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Democratic officials expressed outrage after former President Donald Trump alleged a group of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and declared they should be arrested and sentenced "with execution" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Message That Provoked the Controversy

The clip, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic elected officials who in the past acted in armed forces or security positions.

"Similar to us, you all made an oath to safeguard and defend this founding document," the officials stated in the short video. "At present, the risks to our governing document are not only from abroad, but from domestically. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse illegal orders, you can reject improper directives, you should reject improper directives. No one has to execute orders that violate the legal system or our national charter."

The Former President's Incensed Response

The clip appeared to provoke a angry response from the former president.

On Thursday morning, Trump published on Truth Social: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another message, he declared: "This is really concerning, and Dangerous to our Country. Their comments cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third publication, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Officials Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a combined announcement condemning the comments.

"Violent politics has no role in America," they stated. "Representatives who participated in the video all served our country with tremendous patriotism and honor. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful calls for execution against members of Congress, and call on Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in contact with law enforcement "to make certain the security of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these radical social media posts and withdraw his violent rhetoric before he causes harm," the declaration stated.

Officials' Strong Response

The officials who appeared in the video also released a statement.

"We serve as veterans and national security professionals who love this United States and took an pledge to protect and defend the national charter of the United States," they said. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we plan to keep it. No intimidation, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that fundamental duty."

"The significant point is that the president views it liable to punishment by execution for us to reiterate the law," they stated. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their protection as they carry out their oath to the constitution and responsibility to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our obligation."

They stated: "The entire nation must come together and censure the ex-president's requests for our death and political violence. This is a time for ethical certainty."

Additional Partisan Reactions

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is requesting the capital punishment of elected officials."

He added: "This represents an outright THREAT. All senators, each house member, every American – irrespective of political affiliation – should condemn this right away and unconditionally."

The Republican House speaker defended Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "It is very harmful, you have leading members of the government advising soldiers to disobey orders, I think that is historic in US history."

The Republican leader also according to sources stated to the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the violation of rebellion" but that "attorneys have to examine the wording and decide all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when asked by a media member, "Would the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson replied: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the president is addressing," the official declared. "There are active officials of the US Congress who conspired to orchestrate a recorded statement to personnel of the national defense, to current military personnel encouraging them to defy the executive's lawful orders."

She said: "The sanctity of our defense system rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can cause fatalities, it can lead to confusion, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally promoting."