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Democratic officials expressed fury after former President Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "betrayers" and declared they should be arrested and punished "with execution" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Recording That Sparked the Controversy

The video footage, released on Tuesday, includes six Democratic lawmakers who in the past acted in military or defense positions.

"As we did, you all made an pledge to safeguard and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers declared in the 90-second video. "And right now, the dangers to our governing document aren't just from abroad, but from domestically. Our laws are unambiguous, you can decline illegal orders, you can refuse unlawful commands, you have to reject unlawful commands. No one has to carry out directives that contravene the law or our national charter."

Trump's Angry Response

The recorded statement reportedly provoke a furious reaction from the ex-president.

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

In another post, he wrote: "This represents really bad, and Harmful to our Country. Their comments cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third message, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a statement that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Officials Respond

Following Trump's comments on that day, House Democratic leader released a joint announcement censuring the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no role in the United States," they stated. "Congress members who participated in the video all acted our nation with tremendous national pride and excellence. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous calls for execution against elected officials, and call on Republican lawmakers to vigorously do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in touch with security officials "to make certain the safety of these officials and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these radical digital publications and withdraw his violent discourse before he leads to violence," the statement continued.

Representatives' Strong Reaction

The representatives who participated in the video also released a declaration.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and security experts who value this country and swore an vow to protect and support the founding document of the United States," they declared. "This commitment continues forever, and we aim to honor it. No warning, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the former president deems it liable to punishment by execution for us to repeat the law," they continued. "Military personnel should know that we have their protection as they execute their oath to the founding principles and responsibility to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They stated: "The entire nation must unite and condemn the president's requests for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a moment for principled stance."

Additional Partisan Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also denounced Trump's remarks and posted on social media: "It's important to understand: the former president is calling for the execution of public representatives."

He stated: "This constitutes an clear THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should censure this right away and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "It is very harmful, you have important representatives of the legislature instructing troops to defy commands, I think that's historic in the nation's past."

The Conservative representative also allegedly told journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the violation of treason" but that "attorneys have to analyze the wording and establish all that."

White House Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter, "Does the president want to put to death elected officials?", the White House press secretary replied: "Certainly not."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the official said. "There are sitting members of the US Congress who coordinated to orchestrate a recorded statement to members of the US military, to current military personnel advising them to ignore the president's legal commands."

She stated: "The sanctity of our armed forces depends on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can lead to fatalities, it can result in disorder, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are basically supporting."