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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated fury after Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and declared they should be detained and punished "by death" following their release of a disputed video.

The Message That Sparked the Controversy

The clip, shared on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who in the past served in military or intelligence roles.

"Like us, you all took an pledge to protect and support this constitution," the lawmakers declared in the brief video. "And right now, the risks to our democratic foundation don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can refuse unlawful commands, you should decline unlawful commands. No one has to carry out directives that violate the legal system or our national charter."

Trump's Angry Reaction

The recorded statement appeared to trigger a heated reply from the former president.

On later in the week, Trump posted 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 another publication, he declared: "This constitutes really serious, and Risky to our Nation. Their words cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Officials React

Following Trump's remarks on that day, House Democratic leader released a joint statement condemning the statements.

"Political violence has no position in America," they declared. "Congress members who participated in the video all acted our country with exceptional national pride and honor. We clearly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and harmful calls for execution against members of Congress, and call on Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in communication with protective services "to make certain the security of these officials and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these extreme digital publications and recant his aggressive rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the declaration stated.

Officials' Strong Answer

The lawmakers who were featured in the video also released a response.

"We serve as former service members and national security professionals who love this nation and took an oath to protect and support the founding document of the United States," they stated. "Our pledge continues forever, and we plan to honor it. No threat, pressure, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation."

"The significant point is that the former president deems it punishable by execution for us to restate the law," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the national charter and obligation to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They stated: "The entire nation must come together and censure the ex-president's demands for our death and ideological conflict. This is a period for ethical certainty."

Additional Governmental Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's comments and shared on online networks: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is requesting the capital punishment of public representatives."

He stated: "This represents an outright THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, every American – regardless of party – should denounce this without delay and unconditionally."

The GOP leader supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "This constitutes very harmful, you have important representatives of the government instructing troops to ignore directives, I think that is historic in US history."

The Conservative representative also reportedly informed journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the crime of sedition" but that "legal experts have to examine the wording and establish all that."

White House Reaction

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a reporter, "Does the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the executive branch representative replied: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the spokesperson stated. "There are current representatives of the US Congress who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to members of the American armed forces, to active duty service members advising them to disobey the executive's proper directives."

She said: "The integrity of our military rests on the hierarchy, and if that system is broken, it can lead to casualties, it can cause chaos, and that is exactly what these elected officials ... are basically promoting."