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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated anger after Donald Trump charged a coalition of Democratic legislators of being "turncoats" and declared they should be taken into custody and sentenced "by death" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Recording That Provoked the Debate

The video footage, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic elected officials who in the past served in defense or defense roles.

"Like us, you all made an oath to safeguard and support this national charter," the representatives stated in the brief video. "Currently, the dangers to our constitution are not only from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our statutes are clear, you can decline improper directives, you can decline improper directives, you should reject improper directives. No one has to execute orders that violate the law or our national charter."

The Former President's Incensed Reaction

The recorded statement reportedly provoke a angry reply from the ex-president.

On later in the week, Trump wrote on his preferred platform: "It's called 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 wrote: "This constitutes really concerning, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their words cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent post, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Leaders React

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats published a combined statement denouncing the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no position in this nation," they wrote. "Representatives who appeared in the video all acted our country with tremendous loyalty and honor. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and risky calls for execution against congressional representatives, and urge Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in touch with security officials "to make certain the security of these members and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these unhinged social media posts and recant his aggressive discourse before he gets someone killed," the announcement stated.

Representatives' Defiant Reaction

The representatives who appeared in the video also published a response.

"We identify as veterans and security experts who love this country and took an pledge to safeguard and support the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we plan to honor it. No intimidation, coercion, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that sacred responsibility."

"The significant point is that the president deems it punishable by capital punishment for us to restate the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their protection as they fulfill their vow to the national charter and responsibility to obey only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our obligation."

They stated: "All citizens must come together and denounce the ex-president's demands for our execution and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity."

Additional Political Reactions

The Senate Democratic leader also denounced Trump's comments and posted on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the death of elected officials."

He stated: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should denounce this without delay and unconditionally."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", labeling the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "It is very harmful, you have prominent officials of the legislature advising military personnel to ignore directives, I think that's without precedent in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also allegedly stated to the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the crime of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to parse the terminology and determine all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter, "Does the president want to kill members of Congress?", the White House press secretary responded: "Certainly not."

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the spokesperson declared. "You have current representatives of the American legislature who conspired to arrange a recorded statement to members of the American armed forces, to active duty service members encouraging them to defy the president's proper directives."

She added: "The integrity of our military relies on the chain of command, and if that structure is violated, it can lead to fatalities, it can result in disorder, and precisely what these elected officials ... are essentially supporting."