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Democratic officials voiced fury after Donald Trump charged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be detained and sentenced "with execution" following their release of a controversial video.

The Message That Triggered the Debate

The video footage, published on earlier this week, features six Democratic congress members who in the past acted in military or security capacities.

"Like us, you all swore an oath to defend and defend this constitution," the lawmakers stated in the brief video. "Currently, the threats to our democratic foundation don't only come from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse illegal orders, you can decline illegal orders, you have to refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The clip reportedly prompt a angry response from the former president.

On the following morning, Trump wrote on his preferred platform: "This constitutes 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 stated: "This is really concerning, and Harmful to our Country. Their comments cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent publication, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also reposted a statement that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Representatives Respond

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Democratic leadership published a combined declaration denouncing the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no place in the United States," they wrote. "Elected officials who participated in the video all worked our country with exceptional national pride and honor. We clearly censure Donald Trump's appalling and risky threats of violence against members of Congress, and appeal to GOP representatives to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to make certain the security of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these radical online messages and recant his violent language before he gets someone killed," the declaration added.

Lawmakers' Strong Answer

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

"We are veterans and security experts who love this country and swore an pledge to defend and defend the constitution of the United States," they said. "This commitment is permanent, and we plan to honor it. No threat, pressure, or incitement will prevent us from that important duty."

"The significant point is that the former president deems it subject to penalty by capital punishment for us to restate the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their support as they carry out their vow to the founding principles and obligation to adhere to only proper directives. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They stated: "All citizens must unite and condemn the president's calls for our execution and partisan aggression. This is a period for ethical certainty."

More Partisan Responses

The Opposition leader also censured Trump's statements and posted on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the death of elected officials."

He continued: "This is an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should condemn this right away and absolutely."

The GOP leader justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have leading members of the legislature telling soldiers to defy commands, I think that's without precedent in American history."

The Republican leader also reportedly informed media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the violation of sedition" but that "lawyers have to parse the terminology and decide all that."

White House Statement

During a White House press conference on later that day, when inquired by a journalist, "Is the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary replied: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the former president is responding to," the official said. "You have active officials of the US Congress who conspired to arrange a video message to individuals of the US military, to active duty service members encouraging them to ignore the president's lawful orders."

She stated: "The purity of our armed forces relies on the command structure, and if that system is compromised, it can result in fatalities, it can cause disorder, and precisely what these congressional representatives ... are basically encouraging."