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Democratic officials voiced anger after Donald Trump charged a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and declared they should be taken into custody and sentenced "with execution" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Content That Sparked the Controversy

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, features six Democratic lawmakers who in the past acted in armed forces or defense roles.

"As we did, you all made an vow to safeguard and support this national charter," the officials stated in the 90-second video. "And right now, the threats to our constitution are not only from abroad, but from right here at home. Our statutes are clear, you can refuse illegal orders, you can decline improper directives, you have to decline unlawful commands. No one has to carry out orders that violate the legal system or our national charter."

The Former President's Angry Reaction

The video message reportedly provoke a angry reaction from the ex-president.

On the following morning, Trump wrote on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another post, he declared: "This constitutes really bad, and Risky to our Country. Their words cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent publication, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also reposted a statement that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats released a joint declaration condemning the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no role in this nation," they stated. "Congress members who appeared in the video all worked our country with tremendous loyalty and excellence. We clearly censure Donald Trump's appalling and harmful threats of violence against members of Congress, and call on GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these unhinged digital publications and recant his aggressive discourse before he leads to violence," the announcement added.

Officials' Firm Answer

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

"We identify as former service members and national security professionals who care for this nation and swore an pledge to safeguard and support the national charter of the United States," they declared. "This commitment continues forever, and we plan to keep it. No warning, coercion, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that important obligation."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president deems it punishable by capital punishment for us to repeat the legal requirements," they stated. "Our service members should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the national charter and obligation to follow only legal commands. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "Every American must unite and condemn the former president's calls for our murder and partisan aggression. This is a time for moral clarity."

Further Governmental Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's statements and posted on online networks: "It's important to understand: the former president is requesting the execution of public representatives."

He added: "This is an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and without qualification."

The GOP leader supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This represents very risky, you have leading members of the legislature telling soldiers to disobey orders, I think that's without precedent in American history."

The GOP official also reportedly told journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the violation of treason" but that "lawyers have to examine the language and decide all that."

Executive Branch Statement

During a administration briefing on that day, when questioned by a reporter, "Does the president want to kill elected officials?", the White House press secretary answered: "Certainly not."

"We should understand about what the president is addressing," the official stated. "You have active officials of the federal government who conspired to arrange a video message to personnel of the US military, to active duty service members advising them to ignore the president's lawful orders."

She stated: "The integrity of our armed forces depends on the hierarchy, and if that structure is violated, it can cause people getting killed, it can cause confusion, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally supporting."