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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed anger after former President Donald Trump alleged a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be arrested and penalized "by death" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Message That Provoked the Controversy

The clip, shared on earlier this week, features six Democratic lawmakers who previously worked in military or defense capacities.

"As we did, you all swore an oath to safeguard and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers affirmed in the 90-second video. "At present, the risks to our democratic foundation don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our laws are unambiguous, you can reject illegal orders, you can decline improper directives, you have to refuse improper directives. No one has to follow commands that contravene the statutes or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Incensed Response

The video message seemed to provoke a heated response from the ex-president.

On the following morning, Trump published on Truth Social: "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 message, he declared: "This represents really concerning, and Risky to our Nation. Their statements cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third post, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Representatives Respond

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a unified statement condemning the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no position in America," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all served our nation with tremendous patriotism and excellence. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's disgusting and risky death threats against elected officials, and call on House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in touch with security officials "to guarantee the safety of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these extreme digital publications and retract his aggressive rhetoric before he causes harm," the announcement continued.

Lawmakers' Defiant Answer

The representatives who appeared in the video also issued a declaration.

"We serve as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who love this country and swore an oath to protect and support the national charter of the United States," they said. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to keep it. No warning, coercion, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that fundamental obligation."

"What's most telling is that the president considers it subject to penalty by death for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their support as they execute their oath to the constitution and responsibility to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "The entire nation must join forces and denounce the former president's calls for our execution and political violence. This is a period for moral clarity."

Further Governmental Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's remarks and shared on digital platforms: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is demanding the death of government members."

He stated: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, each house member, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should denounce this without delay and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had been involved in "sedition", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have leading members of the government advising troops to disobey orders, I think that represents historic in American history."

The Conservative representative also allegedly told media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the crime of treason" but that "legal experts have to analyze the language and determine all that."

White House Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter, "Would the president want to put to death congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary answered: "No."

"It's important to note about what the former president is reacting to," the representative said. "There are sitting members of the federal government who coordinated to orchestrate a recorded statement to individuals of the national defense, to serving soldiers urging them to disobey the commander in chief's legal commands."

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