🔗 Share this article Democrats Criticize Trump After He States They Should Face Death Penalty Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated fury after the ex-president alleged a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and declared they should be detained and punished "with execution" following their release of a controversial video. The Message That Provoked the Dispute The recorded message, published on Tuesday, features six Democratic congress members who in the past served in armed forces or security roles. "Similar to us, you all made an oath to safeguard and defend this founding document," the officials stated in the short video. "At present, the threats to our governing document don't only come from abroad, but from right here at home. Our regulations are explicit, you can decline unlawful commands, you can decline unlawful commands, you must decline improper directives. No one has to execute directives that break the legal system or our national charter." Trump's Incensed Reply The clip seemed to provoke a angry reaction from the ex-president. On the following morning, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "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 declared: "This represents really concerning, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their statements cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???" In a additional publication, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!" Opposition Leaders React Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader issued a combined announcement condemning the remarks. "Political violence has no role in the United States," they declared. "Representatives who appeared in the video all worked our nation with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We clearly censure Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous death threats against elected officials, and urge GOP representatives to forcefully do the same." The Democratic leaders also mentioned that they had been in contact with protective services "to ensure the protection of these members and their loved ones." "Donald Trump must right away delete these extreme online messages and retract his violent language before he gets someone killed," the announcement continued. Representatives' Defiant Response The lawmakers who were featured in the video also published a declaration. "We serve as veterans and defense specialists who care for this United States and made an oath to defend and support the constitution of the United States," they said. "Our pledge continues forever, and we plan to keep it. No warning, coercion, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that fundamental responsibility." "The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president views it subject to penalty by death for us to reiterate the statutes," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their support as they fulfill their vow to the national charter and responsibility to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty." They added: "The entire nation must come together and censure the ex-president's requests for our execution and partisan aggression. This is a moment for moral clarity." More Partisan Responses The Opposition leader also censured Trump's statements and published on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is requesting the execution of public representatives." He continued: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should denounce this immediately and absolutely." The Republican House speaker defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", labeling the video as "extremely improper", adding: "It is very risky, you have prominent officials of the legislature instructing troops to ignore directives, I think that's unprecedented in American history." The GOP official also reportedly told journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the violation of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to analyze the wording and decide all that." Administration Reaction During a executive branch meeting on that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Is the president want to kill elected officials?", the administration spokesperson answered: "Absolutely not." "We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the representative stated. "There are sitting members of the American legislature who coordinated to organize a video message to individuals of the American armed forces, to active duty service members encouraging them to defy the executive's proper directives." She said: "The sanctity of our military relies on the chain of command, and if that structure is broken, it can result in people getting killed, it can result in disorder, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally encouraging."