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Democratic officials expressed anger after former President Donald Trump charged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and stated they should be detained and penalized "with execution" following their release of a contentious video.

The Recording That Provoked the Controversy

The video footage, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic congress members who previously acted in armed forces or intelligence roles.

"Similar to us, you all swore an oath to defend and support this constitution," the officials affirmed in the short video. "Currently, the dangers to our constitution don't only come from overseas, but from within our own country. Our laws are clear, you can reject illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you have to decline improper directives. No one has to carry out commands that violate the law or our constitution."

Trump's Incensed Reply

The clip appeared to prompt a heated reply from the former 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 a separate message, he declared: "This is really serious, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be permitted to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Leaders Respond

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a joint statement censuring the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no role in this nation," they wrote. "Representatives who participated in the video all worked our United States with tremendous national pride and distinction. We clearly condemn Donald Trump's offensive and harmful calls for execution against congressional representatives, and appeal to House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in contact with security officials "to ensure the safety of these officials and their families."

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these extreme social media posts and retract his aggressive discourse before he leads to violence," the announcement stated.

Officials' Strong Answer

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

"We serve as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who value this United States and made an pledge to protect and defend the constitution of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge is permanent, and we aim to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or incitement will deter us from that fundamental duty."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president considers it liable to punishment by execution for us to restate the statutes," they continued. "Military personnel should understand that we have their protection as they execute their oath to the constitution and obligation to obey only proper directives. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "The entire nation must unite and denounce the president's calls for our death and ideological conflict. This is a period for moral clarity."

Further Governmental Reactions

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's comments and published on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is demanding the death of government members."

He stated: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, every American – regardless of party – should censure this immediately and unconditionally."

The Republican House speaker justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "treason", characterizing the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "This represents very risky, you have leading members of Congress advising military personnel to disobey orders, I think that is historic in American history."

The Republican leader also allegedly told media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the offense of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to parse the language and determine all that."

White House Statement

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

"It's important to note about what the president is addressing," the official stated. "We see sitting members of the American legislature who coordinated to orchestrate a digital communication to individuals of the US military, to active duty service members urging them to ignore the executive's lawful orders."

She said: "The integrity of our defense system depends on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can result in confusion, and precisely what these congressional representatives ... are basically supporting."