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Democratic officials expressed fury after the ex-president charged a group of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and stated they should be taken into custody and sentenced "with execution" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Message That Sparked the Dispute

The recorded message, released on Tuesday, includes six Democratic lawmakers who in the past worked in military or security roles.

"As we did, you all took an oath to safeguard and support this national charter," the lawmakers declared in the 90-second video. "At present, the dangers to our democratic foundation don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our laws are explicit, you can decline improper directives, you can reject illegal orders, you should decline unlawful commands. No one has to execute orders that break the statutes or our constitution."

The Former President's Incensed Reaction

The video message reportedly trigger a angry reply from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

In a separate message, he declared: "This is really concerning, and Risky to our Nation. Their statements cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional publication, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Representatives Respond

Following Trump's comments on that day, House Democratic leader released a unified statement denouncing the comments.

"Partisan aggression has no role in America," they stated. "Representatives who were featured in the video all served our nation with great national pride and honor. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's disgusting and risky death threats against congressional representatives, and urge GOP representatives to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to ensure the safety of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these radical digital publications and retract his aggressive language before he leads to violence," the declaration continued.

Representatives' Firm Response

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

"We identify as former service members and security experts who care for this country and took an vow to defend and support the founding document of the United States," they declared. "That oath is permanent, and we plan to keep it. No threat, coercion, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that fundamental duty."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president deems it liable to punishment by death for us to restate the statutes," they stated. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they execute their pledge to the constitution and responsibility to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "All citizens must unite and condemn the president's calls for our death and partisan aggression. This is a moment for ethical certainty."

Additional Political Comments

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's remarks and posted on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is demanding the execution of elected officials."

He stated: "This represents an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, every American – without partisan consideration – should denounce this immediately and without qualification."

The GOP leader supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This represents very risky, you have important representatives of Congress telling troops to defy commands, I think that represents unprecedented in US history."

The Conservative representative also according to sources told media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the violation of treason" but that "attorneys have to parse the wording and decide all that."

Administration Reaction

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

"Let's be clear about what the former president is addressing," the spokesperson stated. "We see sitting members of the American legislature who coordinated to arrange a digital communication to personnel of the national defense, to current military personnel advising them to disobey the executive's proper directives."

She added: "The integrity of our military rests on the command structure, and if that structure is violated, it can cause casualties, it can lead to disorder, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally encouraging."