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Democratic officials expressed fury after the ex-president accused a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and stated they should be detained and sentenced "through capital punishment" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Message That Provoked the Controversy

The recorded message, released on earlier this week, includes six Democratic elected officials who previously worked in armed forces or defense roles.

"As we did, you all made an oath to defend and uphold this constitution," the representatives stated in the brief video. "And right now, the threats to our democratic foundation aren't just from overseas, but from right here at home. Our regulations are explicit, you can reject illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you must refuse unlawful commands. No one has to execute orders that break the law or our national charter."

Trump's Incensed Reply

The clip reportedly provoke a heated reply from the previous commander-in-chief.

On later in the week, Trump published on his social media platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate publication, he stated: "This constitutes really bad, and Harmful to our Country. Their words cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional message, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also shared a comment that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Representatives Answer

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader issued a unified declaration condemning the statements.

"Political violence has no role in America," they wrote. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all acted our nation with exceptional loyalty and excellence. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and harmful death threats against elected officials, and urge Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in touch with security officials "to ensure the safety of these members and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these radical online messages and withdraw his aggressive rhetoric before he causes harm," the statement continued.

Lawmakers' Firm Answer

The representatives who were featured in the video also released a statement.

"We are former service members and national security professionals who value this nation and took an vow to protect and uphold the founding document of the United States," they stated. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we plan to keep it. No intimidation, pressure, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred duty."

"What's most telling is that the president views it subject to penalty by execution for us to repeat the law," they continued. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their backs as they carry out their vow to the national charter and duty to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "Every American must unite and denounce the former president's demands for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a period for moral clarity."

Further Governmental Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's statements and shared on online networks: "It's important to understand: the President of the United States is calling for the death of public representatives."

He added: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should censure this immediately and absolutely."

The GOP leader supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "This constitutes very risky, you have important representatives of Congress instructing military personnel to ignore directives, I think that represents unprecedented in US history."

The Conservative representative also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the crime of rebellion" but that "attorneys have to analyze the language and decide all that."

White House Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a media member, "Does the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the administration spokesperson replied: "Absolutely not."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the spokesperson stated. "You have current representatives of the American legislature who coordinated to organize a recorded statement to personnel of the national defense, to current military personnel urging them to ignore the executive's legal commands."

She stated: "The purity of our defense system depends on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can cause casualties, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are basically encouraging."