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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated anger after former President Donald Trump alleged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be taken into custody and punished "through capital punishment" following their release of a contentious video.

The Content That Triggered the Debate

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, features six Democratic lawmakers who in the past worked in military or defense roles.

"As we did, you all took an oath to defend and uphold this founding document," the lawmakers affirmed in the brief video. "And right now, the dangers to our constitution aren't just from overseas, but from right here at home. Our regulations are clear, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can reject illegal orders, you have to decline illegal orders. No one has to execute orders that break the statutes or our national charter."

The Former President's Furious Reaction

The video message appeared to trigger a angry reaction from the former president.

On later in the week, Trump published on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate message, he declared: "This is really concerning, and Harmful to our Country. Their comments cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, Top Democrats released a combined announcement condemning the statements.

"Violent politics has no place in America," they wrote. "Congress members who were featured in the video all served our United States with great patriotism and excellence. We clearly censure Donald Trump's disgusting and risky threats of violence against elected officials, and call on GOP representatives to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in communication with law enforcement "to guarantee the security of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these unhinged online messages and recant his violent discourse before he causes harm," the statement stated.

Lawmakers' Firm Reaction

The lawmakers who were featured in the video also published a declaration.

"We serve as ex-military personnel and national security professionals who care for this United States and swore an pledge to safeguard and uphold the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge is permanent, and we aim to honor it. No intimidation, pressure, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that important duty."

"The significant point is that the ex-president considers it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to restate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should understand that we have their backs as they carry out their oath to the founding principles and duty to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "The entire nation must come together and denounce the ex-president's requests for our death and political violence. This is a time for principled stance."

Additional Governmental Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's comments and posted on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the execution of public representatives."

He stated: "This represents an clear THREAT. All senators, each house member, the entire nation – regardless of party – should censure this right away and without qualification."

The GOP leader defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "treason", labeling the video as "extremely improper", stating: "This represents very risky, you have leading members of the government instructing soldiers to defy commands, I think that is without precedent in US history."

The GOP official also according to sources told media outlets that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the offense of treason" but that "attorneys have to examine the terminology and determine all that."

Administration Reaction

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when inquired by a reporter, "Is the president want to put to death elected officials?", the executive branch representative responded: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the representative declared. "You have active officials of the federal government who coordinated to orchestrate a recorded statement to personnel of the US military, to active duty service members encouraging them to defy the president's proper directives."

She said: "The sanctity of our armed forces depends on the chain of command, and if that system is broken, it can result in fatalities, it can lead to disorder, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally promoting."