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Democratic officials voiced outrage after Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be detained and penalized "by death" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Recording That Provoked the Controversy

The clip, shared on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who formerly served in military or intelligence roles.

"As we did, you all swore an pledge to safeguard and support this founding document," the officials declared in the brief video. "And right now, the risks to our governing document aren't just from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our statutes are clear, you can reject improper directives, you can reject illegal orders, you should reject unlawful commands. No one has to execute orders that break the legal system or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Angry Reaction

The video message seemed to prompt a angry reaction from the previous commander-in-chief.

On the following morning, Trump posted on his social media 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 an additional publication, he wrote: "This constitutes really bad, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their comments cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent post, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Representatives Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, Democratic leadership published a joint announcement denouncing the remarks.

"Violent politics has no place in this nation," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all worked our country with great patriotism and distinction. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's offensive and harmful threats of violence against members of Congress, and call on House Republicans to strongly do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must right away remove these unhinged social media posts and retract his dangerous discourse before he gets someone killed," the statement continued.

Lawmakers' Strong Reaction

The lawmakers who participated in the video also issued a declaration.

"We are former service members and security experts who care for this United States and swore an oath to defend and defend the national charter of the United States," they said. "That oath is permanent, and we plan to maintain it. No threat, intimidation, or incitement will stop us from that fundamental duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president considers it punishable by capital punishment for us to restate the statutes," they continued. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their backs as they execute their vow to the constitution and duty to follow only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They added: "All citizens must unite and censure the ex-president's demands for our execution and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity."

More Political Reactions

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of government members."

He stated: "This represents an direct THREAT. All senators, all representatives, every American – without partisan consideration – should censure this without delay and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "It is very risky, you have prominent officials of the legislature telling soldiers to disobey orders, I think that represents without precedent in American history."

The Republican leader also according to sources stated to the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "explaining the crime of rebellion" but that "attorneys have to parse the terminology and decide all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a administration briefing on that day, when questioned by a reporter, "Would the president want to kill elected officials?", the administration spokesperson answered: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the former president is reacting to," the representative declared. "You have active officials of the American legislature who worked together to orchestrate a recorded statement to individuals of the US military, to serving soldiers advising them to disobey the executive's lawful orders."

She stated: "The purity of our armed forces rests on the hierarchy, and if that structure is broken, it can result in casualties, it can result in chaos, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are essentially encouraging."