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Democratic officials voiced outrage after Donald Trump accused a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be arrested and punished "by death" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Recording That Provoked the Debate

The video footage, published on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who in the past acted in military or security roles.

"As we did, you all swore an oath to defend and support this constitution," the officials stated in the brief video. "And right now, the threats to our constitution aren't just from overseas, but from within our own country. Our statutes are clear, you can refuse illegal orders, you can reject unlawful commands, you have to reject illegal orders. No one has to execute orders that break the statutes or our constitution."

Trump's Angry Response

The recorded statement seemed to trigger a furious response from the former president.

On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate post, he wrote: "This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their words cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third message, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also redistributed a statement that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Officials Respond

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

"Violent politics has no place in this nation," they declared. "Elected officials who participated in the video all served our United States with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We clearly condemn Donald Trump's offensive and risky threats of violence against members of Congress, and urge House Republicans to strongly do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these radical online messages and withdraw his aggressive language before he gets someone killed," the announcement continued.

Officials' Strong Reaction

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

"We serve as veterans and national security professionals who value this country and made an oath to protect and support the constitution of the United States," they declared. "That oath continues forever, and we plan to maintain it. No threat, pressure, or incitement will prevent us from that fundamental responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the president considers it punishable by death for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Military personnel should understand that we have their support as they carry out their vow to the founding principles and duty to follow only proper directives. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They added: "Every American must join forces and censure the former president's calls for our execution and political violence. This is a moment for ethical certainty."

Further Partisan Responses

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's comments and shared on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is calling for the capital punishment of government members."

He added: "This constitutes an clear THREAT. All senators, each house member, all citizens – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this immediately and unconditionally."

The Conservative official justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", stating: "This represents very risky, you have important representatives of the government advising soldiers to defy commands, I think that's unprecedented in American history."

The GOP official also reportedly informed the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the crime of treason" but that "legal experts have to analyze the terminology and decide all that."

Executive Branch Statement

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

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the representative declared. "We see active officials of the American legislature who conspired to organize a recorded statement to members of the US military, to serving soldiers advising them to disobey the president's legal commands."

She stated: "The purity of our military depends on the chain of command, and if that system is compromised, it can result in people getting killed, it can cause chaos, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are essentially supporting."