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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed fury after former President Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be detained and penalized "through capital punishment" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Recording That Provoked the Dispute

The recorded message, shared on Tuesday, includes six Democratic congress members who previously acted in armed forces or security positions.

"Like us, you all made an pledge to defend and support this constitution," the representatives affirmed in the 90-second video. "Currently, the risks to our governing document aren't just from abroad, but from domestically. Our statutes are clear, you can refuse illegal orders, you can decline improper directives, you have to reject improper directives. No one has to execute orders that contravene the legal system or our founding principles."

The Former President's Angry Response

The video message appeared to trigger a heated reaction from the former president.

On the following morning, Trump posted on Truth Social: "This represents 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 wrote: "This represents really serious, and Risky to our Country. Their comments cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also redistributed a statement that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Representatives Respond

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a joint statement denouncing the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no position in this nation," they wrote. "Congress members who participated in the video all worked our country with great loyalty and honor. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous death threats against members of Congress, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in contact with protective services "to guarantee the protection of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these unhinged online messages and recant his dangerous discourse before he leads to violence," the statement continued.

Representatives' Strong Response

The lawmakers who participated in the video also released a statement.

"We identify as veterans and national security professionals who value this country and took an pledge to safeguard and uphold the constitution of the United States," they said. "This commitment continues forever, and we intend to maintain it. No threat, pressure, or call for violence will stop us from that important responsibility."

"The most revealing aspect is that the former president deems it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Military personnel should know that we have their backs as they execute their oath to the national charter and obligation to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They added: "The entire nation must come together and censure the president's requests for our death and partisan aggression. This is a moment for principled stance."

Further Political Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's remarks and published on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is calling for the death of government members."

He stated: "This is an clear THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, all citizens – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this right away and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", labeling the video as "extremely improper", stating: "This represents very risky, you have leading members of Congress telling soldiers to defy commands, I think that represents unprecedented in the nation's past."

The Conservative representative also reportedly informed media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the offense of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to parse the terminology and decide all that."

White House Statement

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a reporter, "Would the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the executive branch representative responded: "Absolutely not."

"We should understand about what the former president is responding to," the representative said. "We see current representatives of the US Congress who conspired to orchestrate 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 integrity of our military depends on the command structure, and if that structure is broken, it can cause casualties, it can lead to chaos, and that's what these elected officials ... are basically promoting."