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Democratic officials voiced anger after the ex-president accused a group of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and declared they should be detained and penalized "through capital punishment" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Recording That Provoked the Controversy

The video footage, released on earlier this week, includes six Democratic elected officials who previously acted in defense or intelligence positions.

"Like us, you all took an pledge to defend and support this national charter," the lawmakers affirmed in the 90-second video. "Currently, the dangers to our governing document aren't just from overseas, but from within our own country. Our statutes are explicit, you can reject unlawful commands, you can reject unlawful commands, you must refuse improper directives. No one has to carry out orders that contravene the legal system or our founding principles."

The Former President's Angry Reaction

The video message reportedly provoke a angry response from the previous commander-in-chief.

On the following morning, Trump published on his social media platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another message, he wrote: "This is really bad, and Risky to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also redistributed a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders Answer

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a unified announcement denouncing the remarks.

"Violent politics has no position in this nation," they stated. "Congress members who appeared in the video all worked our country with great national pride and distinction. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and risky death threats against congressional representatives, and call on House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in touch with security officials "to ensure the protection of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these extreme digital publications and withdraw his dangerous rhetoric before he leads to violence," the announcement stated.

Lawmakers' Firm Answer

The officials who participated in the video also issued a statement.

"We are former service members and security experts who love this nation and took an oath to safeguard and defend the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge continues forever, and we plan to keep it. No intimidation, pressure, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that important obligation."

"The significant point is that the ex-president deems it punishable by execution for us to repeat the legal requirements," they stated. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they carry out their pledge to the national charter and responsibility to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "Every American must join forces and censure the former president's demands for our murder and partisan aggression. This is a moment for principled stance."

More Political Responses

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's comments and published on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is requesting the execution of government members."

He stated: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, every Representative, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should denounce this immediately and without qualification."

The Conservative official defended Trump's allegation that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "It is very harmful, you have leading members of the government advising military personnel to disobey orders, I think that represents historic in the nation's past."

The GOP official also according to sources informed the press that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the violation of treason" but that "lawyers have to parse the wording and decide all that."

Administration Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a media member, "Would the president want to kill elected officials?", the executive branch representative responded: "No."

"It's important to note about what the president is reacting to," the spokesperson declared. "You have active officials of the US Congress who conspired to organize a recorded statement to individuals of the American armed forces, to active duty service members urging them to defy the president's lawful orders."

She stated: "The integrity of our military relies on the command structure, and if that system is violated, it can cause casualties, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally supporting."