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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced outrage after the ex-president charged a group of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and declared they should be arrested and penalized "with execution" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Message That Provoked the Dispute

The recorded message, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic congress members who formerly served in armed forces or defense roles.

"Like us, you all made an vow to defend and support this constitution," the officials stated in the 90-second video. "At present, the dangers to our governing document are not only from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can decline illegal orders, you can decline unlawful commands, you must decline illegal orders. No one has to execute commands that contravene the law or our founding principles."

Trump's Furious Reply

The recorded statement reportedly trigger a heated response from the former president.

On the following morning, Trump published on his preferred platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate publication, he declared: "This is really serious, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Representatives React

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

"Political violence has no role in America," they declared. "Elected officials who participated in the video all acted our country with great patriotism and excellence. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and risky calls for execution against elected officials, and appeal to House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in communication with law enforcement "to make certain the safety of these members and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these extreme online messages and retract his aggressive rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the statement added.

Officials' Strong Response

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

"We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and took an pledge to defend and defend the constitution of the United States," they said. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we intend to honor it. No warning, pressure, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that sacred responsibility."

"The significant point is that the former president deems it liable to punishment by death for us to repeat the statutes," they continued. "Armed forces members should know that we have their backs as they execute their vow to the constitution and obligation to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "All citizens must come together and censure the president's calls for our death and ideological conflict. This is a time for moral clarity."

More Political Reactions

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's comments and published on online networks: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the death of government members."

He added: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, all representatives, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should censure this without delay and absolutely."

The GOP leader supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", describing the video as "extremely improper", adding: "This constitutes very harmful, you have prominent officials of the legislature telling military personnel to ignore directives, I think that's unprecedented in US history."

The Republican leader also according to sources stated to journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the violation of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to parse the terminology and determine all that."

Administration Reaction

During a administration briefing on later that day, when questioned by a journalist, "Is the president want to put to death elected officials?", the White House press secretary replied: "No."

"Let's be clear about what the former president is addressing," the representative declared. "There are current representatives of the federal government who coordinated to orchestrate a digital communication to individuals of the national defense, to serving soldiers urging them to disobey the president's legal commands."

She stated: "The sanctity of our armed forces depends on the command structure, and if that system is compromised, it can result in people getting killed, it can result in disorder, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are basically encouraging."