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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed outrage after former President Donald Trump charged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be arrested and punished "by death" following their release of a contentious video.

The Recording That Provoked the Controversy

The video footage, published on earlier this week, features six Democratic congress members who in the past served in military or defense roles.

"As we did, you all swore an pledge to protect and uphold this founding document," the officials affirmed in the short video. "And right now, the threats to our democratic foundation don't only come from foreign nations, but from domestically. Our statutes are explicit, you can decline illegal orders, you can refuse improper directives, you must reject improper directives. No one has to follow commands that break the statutes or our constitution."

The Former President's Incensed Reply

The recorded statement seemed to provoke a heated response from the ex-president.

On later in the week, Trump published on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate post, he stated: "This constitutes really concerning, and Risky to our Nation. Their statements cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Leaders Answer

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

"Political violence has no position in the United States," they wrote. "Elected officials who participated in the video all acted our country with exceptional loyalty and honor. We strongly censure Donald Trump's offensive and harmful death threats against congressional representatives, and call on Republican lawmakers to vigorously do the same."

The Democratic leaders also mentioned that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to make certain the protection of these members and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these radical social media posts and withdraw his dangerous discourse before he causes harm," the statement stated.

Representatives' Strong Answer

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

"We serve as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who love this nation and swore an vow to protect and support the national charter of the United States," they said. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we plan to maintain it. No warning, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that important obligation."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president considers it punishable by capital punishment for us to restate the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their support as they carry out their oath to the constitution and responsibility to adhere to only proper directives. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "All citizens must come together and censure the president's calls for our death and political violence. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Governmental Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's comments and published on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is demanding the capital punishment of government members."

He stated: "This represents an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should condemn this without delay and without qualification."

The Conservative official defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", stating: "This represents very risky, you have leading members of the government telling soldiers to defy commands, I think that represents unprecedented in American history."

The Republican leader also allegedly told media outlets that in what he read of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the offense of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to analyze the terminology and decide all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a White House press conference on later that day, when inquired by a journalist, "Does the president want to execute elected officials?", the executive branch representative answered: "Certainly not."

"We should understand about what the president is responding to," the official said. "We see sitting members of the US Congress who worked together to arrange a video message to individuals of the US military, to serving soldiers advising them to ignore the executive's proper directives."

She stated: "The sanctity of our military relies on the hierarchy, and if that system is compromised, it can result in fatalities, it can lead to disorder, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are essentially promoting."